Irish SMEs and e-learning implementation: The strategic innovative approach

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up to date with technological, environmental and market changes; this, coupled with the expanding EU and increased rivalry, leaves Irish SMEs struggling to remain competitive. SME survival depends on the SME constantly innovating and reinventing itself. SMEs must be proactive, learn from their peers, have a flexible approach, and continuously network and learn as an organization while being respectful and responsive to their employee needs. Many researchers have emphasized the importance of organizational learning and the importance of such continuous learning to companies that want to compete successfully in the global marketplace. Although continuous staff training is vital to the success of any company, many SMEs have limited resources and find it difficult to send staff on training courses and continuous competency development initiatives. e-Learning has the ability to provide SMEs with a cost-effective, flexible and convenient solution to many of these dilemmas. However, with such companies coming from diverse backgrounds, a one-size-fits-all approach is often not suitable. This research looks at a best practice e-learning approach used in Canada and adapts it to develop models that are best suited to Irish SMEs.