The training and development needs of owner-managers of small businesses with export potential

Very few small firms in Quebec are considering the challenge of exporting, even in a context where competition has increased as a result of new open m arkets. Research has shown that the decision of an owner-manager to move in to a foreign market is conditioned basically by his or her personal attitud e to exporting. A number of organizations currently offer export informatio n and training services to small firms, but these services do not seem to m eet the needs of small business, since they are not widely used. The aim of this study was to identify the export training and development needs of sm all business owner-managers. It took the form of exploratory research using a sample of 15 small business owner-managers in Quebec. It highlights thei r representations of their own strengths and weaknesses as regards exportin g, the areas of competence in which training was thought to offer possibili ties for improvement, and the type of training and teaching that these firm s preferred.