Title: Swedish inter-organisational learning network: outcomes in three dimensions

Authors: Pontus Bergh

Addresses: Umea School of Business, Umea University, SE-901 87 Umea, Sweden

Abstract: Based on findings from a national Swedish competence development project, known as krAft, this study focuses on the relevance of inter-organisational learning networks set up to support managerial competence development in SMEs. The networks that comprise the project are coordinated by a University consortium made up of four Universities in Sweden. Owner-Managers from SMEs in this project were combined into various networks, where a primary focus placed on learning. Interpretations of data from interviews with participants from one of these learning networks suggest constructed inter-organisational network an effective method to support learning of Owner-Managers from SMEs. This paper categorises learning outcomes, as cognitive (knowledge), psychodynamic (emotion), and social (collaboration). A synthesis of these three types of learning outcomes can be used to further develop one|s business. The analysis demonstrates that the network method in relation to more traditional learning methods has strengths in developing psychodynamic and social outcomes.

Keywords: SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; Sweden; inter-organisational learning networks; learning outcomes; competence development; managerial competence; business development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2008.016134

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2008 Vol.2 No.1, pp.56 - 71

Published online: 06 Dec 2007 *

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