Talent management in small and micro businesses: can soft skills be trained? Available to Purchase

Ilaria Spiteri Axiak is based at Applied Research and Innovation Centre, Malta College of Arts Science and Technology, Paola, Malta. She is a Senior Advisor at misco and a doctoral candidate at Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). At misco she works as a business consultant assisting clients with projects related to HR advisory or business matters, specifically within the Training Unit. She actively participates in misco opinion poll research projects done on a yearly basis across all units. She was previously a teacher in a church school. Spiteri Axiak graduated in Dance Studies with Honors from the University of Malta. She furthered her studies by reading a Master of Education (M. Ed) at the Institute for Education by doing research on implementation of curriculum. She has successfully completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Research Methods at MCAST. Spiteri Axiak published two articles in a local journal – MCAST’s Journal of Applied Research and Practice.

Peter A. Packer is based at Applied Research and Innovation Centre, Malta College of Arts Science and Technology, Paola, Malta. He gained first degrees and a doctorate at the University of Durham, his MBA, with distinction, at the University of Strathclyde, and a postgraduate qualification in Group Psychotherapy at the University of Warwick. He was a senior lecturer at the University of Northumberland. Following his related MBA, he gained wide experience and expertise in the Film, TV and Media industries. He was Digital Strategy Adviser at the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s UK Film Council, working with the BBC and Channel 4. Conducting multi-million pound funding audits for nine UK Regional Media Agencies and conceiving and managing seminal national media conferences, inform his academic interests in organizations, leadership and strategy development. He has consulted for the UK Home Office, Regional Development Agencies, City Councils and national NGOs. As an Expert Member of the European Commission’s Media Literacy Group he contributed to policy development in this fast-moving online environment. He has been a CEO and Company Secretary for SME and not-for-profit enterprises. Packer has taught at Malta’s MCAST on MBA programs and currently as Primary Supervisor for its Professional Research Doctorate (DRes) using grounded theory methodologies. He previously taught at the University of Middlesex (Malta Campus), and teaches at GBSB Global Business School.

Stephanie Ghio is based at Applied Research and Innovation Centre, Malta College of Arts Science and Technology, Paola, Malta. She is a Senior Lecturer II and Supervisor in the Professional Doctorate in Research at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Physiology, a Master's Degree in Pharmaceutical Science, a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Chemistry, and Postgraduate Certificates in Vocational Education Applied Research as well as in Research Methods. She has been involved in various research projects, including studies on neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, microplastics in Maltese waters and COVID-19. She also specializes in grounded theory and has extensive experience in qualitative research methods. Ghio has authored and co-authored a number of publications in peer-reviewed journals and is dedicated to lecturing in the health sciences and mentoring in the field of research methods.