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Organisational learning and the organisational life cycle: The differential aspects of an integrated relationship in SMEs

Steven Tam (Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, USA)
David E Gray (University of Greenwich, London, UK)

European Journal of Training and Development

ISSN: 2046-9012

Article publication date: 4 January 2016

6592

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to relate the practice of organisational learning in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the organisational life cycle (OLC), contextualising the differential aspects of an integrated relationship between them.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a mixed-method study with two consecutive phases. In Phase I, 30 Hong Kong SMEs identified through theoretical sampling were classified into three life-cycle stages – inception, high growth and maturity. In Phase II, their employees’ learning practices (grouped by learning levels) were statistically compared using the analysis of variance and then followed up for confirmation with qualitative semi-structured interviews.

Findings

This study uniquely suggests the nature of a relationship between SME organisational learning and the OLC. Empirical results show that three of the four learning levels (individual, group, organisational and inter-organisational) practised in SMEs are varied in importance between life-cycle stages.

Research limitations/implications

Comparative studies are encouraged in other parts of the world to strengthen the findings – with either SMEs or large organisations.

Practical implications

The study informs SME owner/managers about what is important for employee learning at different business stages so that appropriate learning strategies or human resource development policies can be formulated in a timely fashion to promote competitiveness.

Originality/value

It is among the first studies to connect SME learning with organisational growth. The relationships found serve as a sound foundation for further empirical investigations.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Editor Thomas Garavan and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions.

Citation

Tam, S. and Gray, D.E. (2016), "Organisational learning and the organisational life cycle: The differential aspects of an integrated relationship in SMEs", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 2-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-07-2015-0052

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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