Understanding Learning in Small Business: Engagement and Support

This paper reports on findings of a study that investigated how learning best proceeds in small business. The recent implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) presented an opportunity for understanding how small business operatives learnt how to implement a new practice. Semi-structured interviews with thirty small businesses were conducted and case studies written for each. The small business operatives that appeared to learn the most about the GST were those who (i) were highly engaged in learning about the GST and (ii) accessed high levels of support from particular sources. A typology comprising dimensions of support needed and engagement by small business operatives was synthesised from the findings