Training patterns of small and medium-sized enterprises

An international comparative analysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14267/VEZTUD.2025.11.01

Keywords:

SME, HR (human resource) problems, training, GCP (Global Competition Project)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to explore the employee-related challenges and training patterns of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an international comparison based on data from the past five years. The authors identified employee-related challenges of 1228 SMEs from 17 South American, Far Eastern, and European countries, including Hungary, categorised by company size, average years of operation, number of employees, and industry. Differences among country groups are presented using independence tests and One-Way ANOVA. In an international comparison, the authors found that the most significant challenge for Hungarian SMEs is low employee morale, accompanied by low work intensity. Additionally, they identified other challenges that can be adequately addressed by employer-provided training. Their research confirms that employers in the resource-constrained SME sector, regardless of geographical region, utilize the most cost-effective internal training to address the most significant employee challenges.

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Author Biographies

Norbert Sipos, University of Pécs

associate professor

Zsófia Ásványi, University of Pécs

associate professor

Zoltán Bankó, University of Pécs

associate professor

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Published

2025-11-14

How to Cite

Sipos, N., Ásványi, Z., & Bankó, Z. (2025). Training patterns of small and medium-sized enterprises : An international comparative analysis. Vezetéstudomány Budapest Management Review, 56(11), 2–13. https://doi.org/10.14267/VEZTUD.2025.11.01

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Section

Studies and Articles