SME learning: leave it as a mess or solve it like a maze

Abstract

PurposeThis paper gives executives new perspective on how well employee learning is being managed in their small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a rigorous mixed-method approach through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, from categorizing a sample of Hong Kong SMEs into appropriate growth stages (inception, high-growth or maturity) to exploring their respective learning practices in their workplaces.FindingsThe most popular learning practices in SMEs at each growth stage are compared accordingly with the most/least important learning practices perceived by their employees from another set of results (Tam and Gray, 2021). Differences or mismatches are noted for reporting.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional samples of SMEs, including those in other countries, are encouraged to broaden the horizon.Practical implicationsThe findings help SME executives understand the dynamics of employee learning in their workplaces across growth stages. Knowing what learning practices are offered by the firm and what learning practices are valued by the employee will practically improve the firm’s training/learning strategies to benefit organizational development.Originality/valueIt is among the first studies examining SME learning with firm growth as well as sorting the learning practices into some traceable patterns for managerial convenience.