| While entrepreneurship involves a process of learning, a lack of understanding exists in both research and practice about how entrepreneurs learn. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the learning experiences of entrepreneurs from small and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong.; Entrepreneurship and learning theories were used as a framework of inquiry into this phenomenon. The entrepreneurial context was unique, shaping what the entrepreneurs learned, how they learned, and even why they learned. Entrepreneurial context was defined as the framework within which the entrepreneurs responded to environmental signals about the availability of opportunities and resources with which they could be discovered, evaluated and explored. This study began to address a lack of understanding on what ass important for the participating entrepreneurs thought was important to learn and how did they learn.; Each of the eleven entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized enterprises participated in two in-depth interviews of around an hour each, using the phenomenological interview method. The interview data was analyzed using the procedures developed by Moustakas (1994).; Learning was viewed as a source of entrepreneurial effectiveness, and central to the entrepreneurial process, which included creating, recognizing and successfully exploiting opportunities.{09}Entrepreneurial learning was characterized as a dynamic process, which was contextual, continuous, and cumulative.{09}Learning was rarely planned.{09}Findings reported that the entrepreneurs learned from everyday experiences, as well as from non-linear and critical events. Sources of learning included learning by doing, learning from experience, and learning from others.; Conclusions from this study suggest that there is interconnectedness between entrepreneurial activities and entrepreneurial learning. In face of drastic competition entrepreneurs have to adapt their role, and develop new behaviours in order to cope with the evolving demands, and negotiate the management and growth of their businesses. How they learn and what do they need to learn to improve their personal effectiveness and entrepreneurial practices are therefore central to the entrepreneurial process. |
