This article has set a context and rationale
for research into human resource
development within SMEs. Our discussion
has focused on the characteristics of SMEs
and how these influence their human
resource development policies and practices.
Based on the case-study data, we have
described three differing models of HRD and
explored why the representation from the
voluntary organization might be the most
atypical of the small-firm HRD paradigm.
In drawing overall conclusions here, we
start with our previously-stated position that
the nature of training and development in
small firms mirrors the characteristics of
SMEs themselves