Identification of Learning Sources and Methods for Iranian Internet Entrepreneurs: Typology and Prioritization of Learning Methods

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

3 MSc. Student of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Internet entrepreneurs methods for identification and use of knowledge, skills and insights related to their business, have major impacts on creation and effective management of such businesses. Due to the diversity of learning methods used by internet entrepreneurs, this article intended to identify and prioritize them. In order to do so, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 successful internet entrepreneurs and by means of coding method, conventional learning methods for internet entrepreneurs were identified. Then, by distribution and using Friedman analysis of 376 questionnaires, superior learning methods were prioritized. Findings of this study indicated four major sources of learning as follows: learning from teaching – publications, learning from work – task, learning from social-human interaction, and learning from imitation – benchmarking. Furthermore, learning methods prioritization results showed that observation and imitation of best websites, reading websites content, personal thoughts and initiatives of problem solutions are three main methods of learning for Iranian entrepreneurs.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects


Anderson, A.R. & Deakins, D. (1999). Editorial: Entrepreneurial Learning. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 5 (3).
Bear, D. J., Tompson, H. B., Morrison, C. L., Vickers, M., Paradise, A., Czarnowsky, M., & King, K. (2008). Tapping the potential of informal learning. An ASTD research study. Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training and Development.
Deakins, D. & Freel, M. (1998). Entrepreneurial Learning and the Growth Process in SMEs. The Learning Organization, 5 (3): 144-155.
Hergenhahn, B. R., & Olson, M. H. (2005). An introduction to theories of learning. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall. (in Persian)
Holcomb, T.R., Ireland, R. D., Holmes, R. M. & Hitt, M. A. (2009). Architecture of Entrepreneurial Learning: Exploring the Link among Heuristics, Knowledge, and Action. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33 (1): 167-192.
Ikeda, T., Okumura, A. & Muraki, K. (1998). Information classification and navigation based on 5W1H of the target information. 98 Proceedings of the 17th international conference on Computational linguistics. 1: 571-577.
Kauffman, R. & Wang, B. (2008). Tuning into the digital channel: evaluating business model characteristics for Internet firm survival. Information Technology and Management, 9(3): 215–232.
Kuratko, D. (2005). The Emergence of Entrepreneurship Education: Development, Trends, and Challenges. Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice. 29(5): 577-597.
Leitch, C.M. & Harrison, R.T. (1999). A process model for entrepreneurship education and development. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 5(3): 83-109.
Liua, C. & Arnettb, K. (2000). Exploring the factors associated with Web site success in the context of electronic commerce. Information & Management. 38(1): 23-33.
Lumpkin, G. T. & Dess, G. G. (2004). E-Business Strategies and Internet Business Models How the Internet Adds Value. Organizational Dynamics, 33(2): 161–173.
Martin, M. L. & Matlay, H. (2003). Innovative use of the Internet in established small firms the impact of knowledge management and organizational learning in accessing new opportunities. Qualitative Market Research: An International Jornal, 6(1): 18-26.
Mohammadi Elyasi, GH. (2011). learning Resources and methods in  Iranian nascent and Habitual entrepreneurs. Research Report No. 1, Employer: Labor and Social Affairs Institute of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare Ministry. (in Persian)
Olson, M. H. & Hergenhahn, B. R. (2005). An introduction to theories of learning. (Translator: Aliakbar  Seif) Tehran: Doran. (in Persian)
Petkova, A. P. (2008). A theory of entrepreneurial learning from performance errors. International Entrepreneurship and management Journal. 5(4): 345-367.
Pittaway, L. & Cope, J. (2007). Entrepreneurship Education - a Systematic Review of the Evidence. International Small Business Journal, 25(5): 479-510.
Politis, D. (2005). The Process of Entrepreneurial Learning: A Conceptual Framework. Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice, 29(4): 399-424.
Rae, D. & Carswell, M. (2001). Towards a conceptual understanding of entrepreneurial learning. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 8(2): 150-158.
Rae, D. (2000). Understanding Entrepreneurial Learning: A Question of How? International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 6(3): 145-159.
Rae, D. (2005). Mid-Career Entrepreneurial Learning. Education+Training, 47(8/9): 562-574.
Razi, M. A., Tarn, M. & Siddiqui, F. A. (2004). Exploring the failure and success of DotComs. Information Management & Computer Security, 12 (3): 228-244.
Scott, W. R. & Davis, G. F. (2007). Organizations and organizing: rational, natural, and open systems perspectives. ???: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Shane, S. & Venkataraman, S. (2000). The Promise of Entrepreneurship As A Field of Research. Academy of Management Review, 25(1): 217-226.
Sweeney, K. (2006). Competency-Based Interviews: Master the Tough New Interview Style and Give Them the Answers That Will Win You the Job. Career Planning and Adult Development Journal, 22(4): 122.           
Thomas, P. & Moisey, S. (2006). Women Entrepreneurs Informal Learning and the Internet. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 19(2): 183–202.
Warren, L. (2004). A Systemic Approach to Entrepreneurial Learning An Exploration Using Storytelling. Systems Research & Behavioral Science, 21(1): 4-16.
Watkins, K. & Marsick, V. (1990). Informal and incidental learning in the workplace. London and New York:Routledge.
Woo, C. Y., Cooper, A. C. & Dunkelberg, W. C. (1991). The development and interpretation of entrepreneurial typologies. Journal of Business Venturing, 6(2): 93-114.
Wu, F., Mahajan, V. & Balasubramanian, S. (2003). An Analysis of E-Business Adoption and Its Impact on Business Performance. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 31(4): 425-447.