Digital Learning for Managerial Skills Development in SMEs

Purpose: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are a critical pillar of the European economy, contributing to employment, regional and global development. However, many SMEs face heightened risks of failure linked to limited financial resources, labour market pressures, and significant knowledge loss. Developing strong managerial competencies has emerged as a key strategy for improving organisational performance and long-term sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift from traditional training to online learning, yet limited research has examined how digital learning environments can support the development of managerial capabilities within SMEs.
Design: This study addresses this gap by exploring how online learning can enhance knowledge acquisition, retention, and sharing within management teams in technology-based SMEs in Europe, with the case of Ireland supporting the analysis.
Findings: The findings informed the development of a conceptual framework outlining the mechanisms necessary for enhancing entrepreneurs’ knowledge management capabilities through online learning, including critical enablers and barriers to integrating online learning into SME managerial development. The research findings show that digital learning can facilitate more effective knowledge acquisition, improve knowledge retention practices, and support structured knowledge sharing across teams.
Originality: The effectiveness of online learning depends on organisational culture, digital readiness, and alignment between learning goals and managerial tasks. The conceptual framework developed in this study highlights the pathways by which SMEs can leverage online learning to build robust knowledge management capabilities.