The final two years of the Ed.D are given over to the thesis. This is a 50,000 word research project that adds to the 30-50,000 words already submitted for Modules One-Three. As with all doctoral theses, it needs to be original research that contributes to the body of knowledge and written to a suitably academic level.
My thesis was snappily entitled “An investigation of learning within Micro and Very Small Enterprises” and considered how managers learn to be managers.
Abstract
This research crosses boundaries of education, management and social science, and seeks to explore the circumstances and conditions in which learning takes place within a Micro or Very Small Enterprise (MvSE). Its purpose is to illuminate the importance of understanding this economically significant business sector and to consider some of the implications for education and training provision. It considers and discusses issues of the nature of learning within an MvSE that enables individuals to be successful entrepreneurs.
The research suggests that the nature of managerial learning in MvSEs is complex and closely integrated to personal histories and motivations, family and individual characteristics, and the community of which the entrepreneur is part. Learning tends to be ad hoc and opportunist, centring on crises that require the entrepreneur to re-think his or her situation and take advantage of such opportunities that are available at that moment. In this way the identity, relationships and choices of the entrepreneur appear to be constantly evolving and in a state of continual change.
The research raises important questions about the nature of learning in MvSEs and provides insight to the causes of poor uptake on externally devised educational provision.
End Abstract