Training and human resource issues in small e‐businesses: towards a research agenda

Abstract

A great deal has been written in recent years about the internet and the emergence of e‐businesses operating in the global e‐economy. Although a small proportion of the expanding literature on this topic is based on empirically rigorous research, the bulk of publications tend to be of limited value to small business owner/managers. Furthermore, these publications present a superficial or idealised view of economic transactions that take place over the internet. In terms of general approaches to e‐business, there exist a limited number of “core” theoretical and practical publications to guide a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties, including small business owner/managers. Conspicuously missing from the burgeoning specialist literature is the topic of training and human resources in relation to the adoption and management of small e‐businesses. To redress the imbalance, this article proposes a tentative framework for a research agenda in training and related human resource issues, to support and inform a rapidly growing sector of small e‐businesses, both in Britain and in other industrially developed or developing countries.

Citation

Matlay, H. (2004), "Training and human resource issues in small e‐businesses: towards a research agenda", Education + Training, Vol. 46 No. 8/9, pp. 520-526. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910410569641