Tool box for managers: Lessons from New Zealand small businesses
| Date | 01 March 2011 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20425961201000007 |
| Pages | 77-87 |
| Published date | 01 March 2011 |
| Author | R. Helen Samujh,Siham El‐Kafafi |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management |
World Journal of Enterprenuership, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 6, Nos. 1/2, 2010
77
Copyright © 2010 WASD
Abstract: Purpose: To ascertain small business (SB) managers’ perspectives on
their educational and support needs for their managerial tool box.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted
in New Zealand, with 19 SB managers to ascertain their perspectives about business
learning opportunities. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis.
Findings: Four skills for small business learning were identified: basic (day-to-
day management skills), coping (time management and priority setting skills),
psychological (emotional/social skills) and networking skills.
Value of the paper: A model with three phases and three parallel streams of learning
was developed that has potential to enhance survival rates of SBs. Further, the
psychological aspects of being a SB manager are highlighted.
Research limitations/implications: Feelings and emotions may be more significant
than capabilities.
Practical implications: The pedagogic practices should be accepting, affirming and
confirming, to provide social/emotional and psychological support to SB managers.
Keywords: small business, adult learning, semi-structured face-to-face interviews
R. Helen Samujh1, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Siham El-Kafafi 2, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
TOOL BOX FOR MANAGERS: LESSONS
FROM NEW ZEALAND SMALL BUSINESSES
INTRODUCTION
In New Zealand at February 2008 there
were approximately 471,100 businesses of
which 97% had fewer than 20 employees
and 68% were non-employing. The number
of businesses has been slowly growing,
however, the survival rates of new businesses
indicate that all is not well with businesses.
For example, 42,760 businesses started up
in 2001 and by 2008 only 37% had survived
(Statistics New Zealand, 2008).
This paper presents a learning model
for small business (SB) managers that takes
into account the received wisdom of the
adult education and SB literatures as well
as the needs and perspectives expressed
by 19 SB managers in New Zealand. Our
thinking on adult learning was influenced
by the philosophies of two prominent
educationalists - Freire and Mezirow.
Accordingly, the following section outlines
the contributions of Feire and Mezirow to
our research and provides a background to
the literature relating to learning and SB
survival. Our research method is outlined and
then our research findings. The discussion
section, blends our findings with findings by
others recorded in literature and explains our
1Senior Lecturer, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, Email: hsamujh@waikato.ac.nz
2Senior Lecturer, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, Email: siham.elkafafi@manukau.ac.nz
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