Defining the development needs of entrepreneurs in SMEs

This paper focuses on the theme of entrepreneurship education, learning and development and specifically, on the challenge for higher education institutions (HEIs) of supporting entrepreneurial and enterprising individuals and organisations. This is examined from the perspective of the definition of appropriate development needs of entrepreneurs in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). HEIs are undergoing a phenomenal amount of change driven by the various stakeholders (e.g. government, students and local committees). The government continues to emphasise the importance to the economy of the set up and development of SMEs. If this is to happen then SMEs will need support in developing entrepreneurial and enterprising individuals. This convergence of needs presents the opportunity for HEIs to contribute to this support. A prerequisite for this support is the definition of the development needs of entrepreneurs in SMEs.