FOSTERING THE GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES THROUGH SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING

An economy based on knowledge is an economy based on creativity and entrepreneurship of persons as well as in their ability to learn systematically. Technology has influenced diverse aspects of society such as the communications, business, politics, social interactions, places of work and life of people, so that jobs in all sectors of society have been redefined to fit the new importance of information technology in the society. To confront the rapid change and new conditions of the information technology, the people must be able to learn throughout their life, this ability allows people be an important part in their community, in their family, in their region, and their workplace. Therefore, a knowledge-based economy also means a learning and innovation society. As a part of an investigation about the models of growth of SME, this research work shows a tool for evaluating and enhancing the innovation capabilities in SMEs, and provides knowledge of how the SMEs' leaders can become self-directed learners through a website. The innovation tool was designed for improving the performance of the firm in the innovation capabilities, and it allows to empower SMEs' leaders to become more proactive and enterprising.