A gap analysis of SMEs’ training needs and knowledge of challenges to enter the global market”

This chapter aims to assess the perceptions of SME on their own training needs by measuring whether gaps exist between the perceived state of train-ing (the current situation) and the perceived future situation. Additionally, this chapter also identifies the knowledge needed to enter the global market. Data were collected from 374 SMEs by using questionnaire and analysed by using descriptive statistics. The overall findings of the study suggest that train-ing providers should focus more on the specific situations of the enterprise while designing the programs such as Financial Management, ICT Facilities and usages, market-oriented and product quality development. The ‘one-size-fits-all’ theory will not be a suitable philosophy for SME training. The findings of the positive relationship between enterprise characteristics and perception of training need becomes of special relevance for designing con-text-specific programs for SMEs, especially with regard to knowledge of chal-lenges to enter the global market. In fact, this is a field that calls for a lot of creativity and innovation on the part of the designers of training programs for SMEs