Learning needs of growth-oriented entrepreneurs

As firms increase in size and complexities, the entrepreneurs managing them face a number of unique problems. Often the entrepreneurs lack the experience to address these challenges. Further, finding the best method to acquire the needed information has proven elusive for both entrepreneurs and educators. The existing entrepreneurship education literature related to teaching and/or learning skills to grow a business does not significantly address the problems brought on by growth. Most studies have examined students in an academic environment, away from real world problems, in a relatively structured setting of a specific duration and with similar levels of competency and knowledge. Practicing entrepreneurs do not fit this educational mold. The results of this study show that entrepreneurs prefer learning experiences that are show, to the point, content oriented, and taught by practicing professionals. This study also identifies the priority learning needs and preferred delivery methods of fast growth entrepreneurs. These findings could be used to develop a series of courses or modules that could enhance the management efficiency and effectiveness of fast growth entrepreneurs. This study contributes to the general knowledge of entrepreneurship education in the following areas: 1. It identifies the learning needs and preferred instructional methods of practicing, fast growth entrepreneurs. 2. It provides market information on course offerings for executive education programs. 3. It provides a model of curriculum content for universities that wish to bring their courses more in line with the needs of practicing entrepreneurs. 4. It provides a reaching approach that can help bridge the gap between academe and the business world by focusing on learning needs common to both students and entrepreneurs. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.