The role of action research in the development of learning networks for entrepreneurs

Abstract

Developing sustainable learning networks for entrepreneurs is the core objective of the Sustainable Learning Networks in Ireland and Wales (SLNIW) project. One research team drawn from the Centre for Enterprise Development and Regional Economy at Waterford Institute of Technology and the School of Management and Business from Aberystwyth University has contributed to the understanding of how to create sustainable business learning networks for entrepreneurs. The research findings are attributed to action research by the conduction of two separate cycles in the forum of research projects. The first cycle, called Female Entrepreneurs in Ireland and Wales, produced findings that were reflected on and investigated further by the research team through the establishment of the second cycle named SLNIW. This paper discusses the two action research cycles through the action sets of planning, action, observing and reflecting and the contribution of the development of understanding and practice of networking for entrepreneurs through the production of guidelines for establishing sustainable learning networks.

Keywords:

• entrepreneurs
• networking
• action research
• peer-to-peer learning
• regional development

Acknowledgements

The SLNIW project is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Ireland Wales Programme (INTERREG 4A). We thank the reviewers for their helpful and constructive comments during the revisions of the paper.