Why do small enterprises participate in a programme for competence development

摘要: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to increase our understanding why firms, specifically small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), participate in a programme for competence development and firms use different strategies development. Design/methodology/approach A study 17 SMEs that all received support from the European Social Fund, Objective 3 programme. collection data based on semi-structured interviews with management/owners, internal project leaders, employees union representatives, feedback seminars representatives studied enterprises, analysis documents. Findings findings demonstrate reported driving forces relating both external organizational conditions conditions, at least certain degree. Furthermore, there appears be strong relationship between observed patterns strategy used by firm. Practical implications experience relatively stronger force initiate problem-solving efforts design implement more elaborated lesser degree less Originality/value finds are important undergo importance not only limited companies development, but also how they participate, i.e.