Factors Influencing Transfer of Learning in Micro and Small Enterprises in the Garment -Making Industry in Kenya

187 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003.Data were collected through in-depth interviews from twenty-six voucher program participants in the garment making industry in Nairobi, Kenya. Results indicated that there was a high level of learning and in turn, full transfer of learning. The main trainee characteristics found to influence transfer of learning were motivation, self-efficacy, and ability. Other motivational factors in this context were the subsidized cost of training and the short training period. The training design factors were content identical to the participants' needs and job requirements as well as the training methods of explanation, demonstration, and practice, and the qualities of the training provider (friendliness, commitment, and knowledge of training content). The main work environment factors were support from co-workers and the availability of facilities, tools and equipment. Feedback appeared to be a significant factor affecting transfer of learning as all the participants felt the need for follow-up services. Action plans did not seem significant in the transfer of learning as the participants went on to transfer what they had learned without preparing them. The results of this study therefore suggest providing follow-up services, offering block courses, including the administrative as well as the business training to participants in MSEs.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD