Thesis
Micro-business operators' perceptions of their business learning opportunities in New Zealand
Southern Cross University, School of Business
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2006
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Abstract
The purposes of this research were to:
1) fill a gap in the literature with regard to the behaviour of micro-business operators towards their learning needs and opportunities:
2) provide a voice for micro-business operators about what they believed they needed to know: and
3) provide guidance for Government to use in developing support initiatives and educational suppliers in developing and providing programs for micro-business operators.
The core question used was: What learning is needed to prepare for and sustain successful and profitable self-employment as a micro-business operator?
Action Research was used as a meta-theory to guide the overall research. A Grounded Theory research design was used. Data analysis and theory development followed an abduction process. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods was employed whereby the data were collected through interviews, government consultation and a questionnaire survey. Operators of micro-businesses (five or fewer employees) were the primary source of data.
The micro-business operators' behaviour towards their learning opportunities revealed patterns of busyness and psychological factors (e.g. a lack of confidence, and a sense of isolation) that resulted in a tendency to disengage with education opportunities. The operators appeared to be self-motivated by intrinsic factors. However, a mix of isolation and fatigue could make them vulnerable to mild depression. The need for coping strategies, such as time management and priority setting techniques, were identified.
Contributions to knowledge about micro-business learning from this research include:
• modelling micro-business reality as perceived by micro-business operators;
• adding to the general body of knowledge about micro-business operators' learning needs and motivators,
• identifying areas needing further theoretical development, e.g. the psychological factors that impinge on micro-business success
• providing a focus for Governments and private education suppliers for the provision of knowledge and education to potential and existing
micro-business operators,
• extending the body of theory underlying micro-business education and training and why disengagement with educational opportunities occurs; and
• modelling a process that can be used to identify needs for education amongst micro-businesses operators, with the direct involvement and participation by the research subjects.
My research highlighted the importance of non-business, as well as business learning, and the context in which the operators perceive their reality when designing initiatives intended for micro-businesses. Overall, the model of micro-business reality provides an explanation of micro-business operator's behaviour and how educators might develop effective learning opportunities for micro-business operators.
Details
- Title
- Micro-business operators' perceptions of their business learning opportunities in New Zealand
- Creators
- Ruth Helen Samujh
- Contributors
- Ortrun Zuber-Skerrett (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityStewart Hase (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityBob Dick (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University, School of Business
- Number of pages
- xii, 310
- Identifiers
- 991012957300202368
- Copyright
- © Ruth H. Samujh 2006
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
- Resource Type
- Thesis