What drives training in industrial micro‐firms? Evidence from Greece

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the determinants of training in micro enterprises in the context of Greece in order to understand what stimulates workplace training and learning interventions.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on interview evidence from 14 owners and nine workers of industrial micro enterprises.FindingsThe study reveals that training activities in industrial micro‐firms are significantly affected by the business strategy adopted by micro‐firms, the owner commitment towards employee training and development and the way work is organized.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could be directed at investigating the variables affecting training provision in micro‐firms in the service sector in order to explore the differences that may exist between industrial and service micro‐firms.Practical implicationsThe paper argues that a key challenge for policy makers in this area is to facilitate changes in owner attitudes, as well as alter the current institutional framework in order to encourage micro firms to adopt higher value added strategies and consequently improve their training efforts.Originality/valueThe study brings new ideas around the determinants of company training in micro‐enterprises, where there is limited understanding.