Adult education and its implications for small business success

RUTH HELEN SAMUJH, UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO, NEW ZEALAND
SIHAM EL-KAFAFI, MANUKAU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NEW ZEALAND
Abstract: A strong positive relation exists between the level of education and entrepreneurial activity. However, the challenge to educational providers is to identify the most effective knowledge set to prepare managers for heir small businesses (SBs) survival. This research reports on part of a larger study of the educational needs of SB managers which took place between 2001 and 2006 in New Zealand. This paper provides a background on the literature of adult education in the context of SB management. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 19 SB managers about their experiences in managing their own business. Accordingly, the research identified four skills for SB learning: basic (day-to-day management skills), coping (time management and priority setting skills), psychological (emotional skills) and networking skills. The pedagogic practices adopted should be accepting, affirming and confirming and thus take care of some of the social and psychological needs of the managers.
Keywords: Skills for Small Business Management, Adult Learning, Pedagogic Practices, Semi-structured Interviews

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