Education and Training for Modernizing Small Business
讨论了新加坡国家经济委员会关于通过教育和培训提升小企业竞争力的建议，并举例说明了实施情况，对研究小企业政策与经济发展的学者有参考价值。
EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR MODERNIZING SMALL BUSINESS Among the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs), Singapore has performed relatively well over the past two decades, exhibiting impressive growth rates. Despite the oil crisis and global recession, the Singapore economy continued to grow. However, by the early 1980s, growth began to slow, and by 1985, the growth rate was negative. High labor costs and loss of competitiveness in the world market were two of the main causes. A National Economic Committee was formed, with representatives from both the public and private sectors, to study the problems and to recommend strategies to overcome them. This note includes a discussion of the recommendations of the Committee related to the provision of education and training for small businesses as a means of enhancing their competitiveness. Two case examples illustrate the implementation of some of these recommendations. The main task of the National Economic Committee was to review the progress of the economy and to identify new directions for growth. Views were solicited from more than a thousand persons, among them employers, union leaders, and professionals in both private and public sectors. One of the major recommendations was to actively foster the growth of small businesses and to assist existing businesses in modernizing their management. In order to encourage entrepreneurial activities, a subcommittee on Business Enterprise attempted to minimize red tape and ensure that the governmental regulatory framework did not impede private enterprise. The Committee on Small Enterprise Policy coordinated strategic plans drawn up by the various agencies providing assistance to small enterprises. The agencies included the Small Enterprise Bureau (financial assistance), the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research (technical assistance), and the National Productivity Board (management assistance). Through the Small Enterprise Bureau, small businesses could also obtain the expertise of experienced consultants on specific projects. Several trade associations were granted subsidies to engage consultants to assist them in modernizing their operations and to upgrade managerial skills. The Bureau also actively financed training programs for small enterprises. Small business is included in the curriculum of the National University of Singapore. Its School of Management also has a Small Business Consultancy Unit to help enterprises identify and solve problems with the help of professors and students who perform management audits for small companies. A typical audit involves a study of the specific industry to which the company belongs along with an analysis of various aspects of the firm. Findings are presented to the company's chief executive or owner/manager. Recommendations include a proposal detailing the necessary follow-up, a list of available experts, and estimates of time and costs. More than a hundred small companies have benefited from the scheme over the past five years. Similar support has been provided by trade associations and chambers of commerce. Case Example A: Modernization of Provision Shops During the past decade, modern supermarkets have gained popularity in the local community. Traditional, family-operated provision shops and grocery stores found it increasingly difficult to remain economically viable as sales revenues dropped. Moreover, provision shop owners also found it more and more difficult to recruit replacements for their retiring employees. Their children and relatives were not attracted to the prospect of managing an ailing retail outlet. Young job seekers tended to avoid jobs with these stores, with their long hours and poor working conditions. The Provision Suppliers Corporation Limited, a wholesale company owned by provision shop owners, recognized the urgent need to save the industry by modernizing their traditional way of doing business. …