ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING PROCESSES UNDERLYING ENTREPRENEURIAL STRATEGIC RENEWAL WITHIN GROWTH-ORIENTED SMALL FIRMS: A SITUATED LEARNING THEORY PERSPECTIVE

The overarching aim of this study is to examine the organisational learning (OL) processes underlying entrepreneurial strategic renewal in growth-oriented small firms. Specifically, Situated Learning Theory (SLT) is applied as the major analytical lens to scrutinise the generation, dissemination and use of knowledge underpinning entrepreneurial strategic renewal in such businesses. Given its remit, the study is posited at the interface of entrepreneurship, strategic management and organisational learning (OL), contributing to the cross-fertilisation of these fields, as well as to the integration of the OL and organisational knowledge domains of inquiry. The thesis is based on a longitudinal multiple-case study. This entails four growth oriented small firms operating in theoretically contrasting sectors; two in Clothing Manufacture and two in Computer Software and Services, these firms are purposively selected on theoretical grounds, aiming at analytical generalisation. A novel combination of methods - the learning episode technique in conjunction with contextual/processual analysis - is employed, this is to examine the interplay of context, process and content of the OL processes underlying entrepreneurial strategic renewal, linking antecedents (OL) with outcomes (growth) The findings of this study suggest that heuristic templates via which growth-oriented small firms identify and act upon entrepreneurial opportunities are socially derived resources. They arc embedded in situated practices and living experiences gained within interrelated and overlapping communities of practice (CoPs). Strategic entrepreneurial learning and renewal in such firms arc heavily dependent on the intra and intercommunal capacities of the firm, i.e. the competencies to develop and exploit elements that promote conducive CoPs, boundary processes and identities. Moreover, the study extends and refines SLT, indicating its potency for enhancing understanding of strategic entrepreneurial learning and renewal from an OL perspective. Finally, the thesis submits a conceptualisation of the OL mechanism underlying entrepreneurial strategic renewal. The study makes a significant contribution at a theoretical, methodological and empirical level and has important implications for small business support provision, research and practice.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

De Montfort University

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Theodorakopoulos, Nicholas

Licence

• https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/bitstreams/08e20f8d-fe13-40a4-9d1f-abb623ec4a85/download