Learn or die : the development of an assessment framwork for SME entrepreneurial learning programmes

• The unique features of entrepreneurial learning, that involves multiple dimensions, are not easily captured and today few appropriate assessment frameworks exist. The aim of this paper is therefore to develop an assessment framework for entrepreneurial learning and empirically illustrate its potential on a specific SME learning program. Based on a survey of owners/managers who took part in the government supported learning program, krAft, an exploratory factors analysis and a regression analysis were conducted. The paper proposes a two dimensional framework of cognitive and social/emotional learning outcomes where both are strongly correlated to internal efficiency but only the social/emotional outcomes are correlated to external effectiveness. The paper therefore concludes that the mere focus on cognitive learning outcomes is not enough in order to successfully act upon business opportunities. Hence, the social/emotional learning dimension is of great importance, and should be utilized, in the development of arranged SME learning groups.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

entrepreneurial learning

learning programmes

learning assessments

entrepreneurs

small and medium-sized enterprises

SMEs

business owners

managers

exploratory factor analysis

regression analysis

assessment frameworks

multiple dimensions

government support

Sweden

krAft programme

competence

reflection

business development

business growth

cognitive outcomes

social outcomes

emotional outcomes

learning outcomes

internal efficiency

external effectiveness

business opportunities

learning groups

management

enterprise development

Business studies

Företagsekonomi

företagsekonomi

Business Studies

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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