IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Training, Competence, and Business Performance: Evidence from E-Business in European Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Training, Competence, and Business Performance: Evidence from E-Business in European Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
View Sample PDF
Author(s): Dag H. Olsen (University of Agder, Norway)and Tom R. Eikebrokk (University of Agder, Norway)
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 24
Source title: E-Business Applications for Product Development and Competitive Growth: Emerging Technologies
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): In Lee (Western Illinois University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-132-4.ch005

Purchase


Abstract

This article examines the relationship between training, competence and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of e-business. Literature review combined with a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to investigate these relationships. Data about e-business competences and performance in 339 SMEs in three European countries was combined with data about training supply from 116 providers of e-business related training. The empirical findings document a positive relationship between training, competence and performance and show that training explains variances in e-business competences and performance in terms of efficiency, complementarities, lock-in and novelty. The research has both theoretical and practical implications. It contributes to theoretical development by lending support to the idea that methodological issues are an important reason behind the lack of empirical support frequently reported in the literature. The study has practical implications for public policy makers, training suppliers and SME managers.

Related Content

Emrah Arğın. © 2022. 16 pages.
Ebru Gülbuğ Erol, Mustafa Gülsün. © 2022. 17 pages.
Yeşim Şener. © 2022. 18 pages.
Salim Kurnaz, Deimantė Žilinskienė. © 2022. 20 pages.
Dorothea Maria Bowyer, Walid El Hamad, Ciorstan Smark, Greg Evan Jones, Claire Beattie, Ying Deng. © 2022. 29 pages.
Savas S. Ates, Vildan Durmaz. © 2022. 24 pages.
Nusret Erceylan, Gaye Atilla. © 2022. 20 pages.
Body Bottom