| Summary: | Despite the government's recognition of the importance to our economy of this business sector, there has been relatively little research commissioned regarding the importance of the educational level of managers employed to manage this business sector, alongside outlining the challenges facing SMEs that are committed to a strategic path of growth. This thesis sets out to explore the complex characteristics surrounding UK manufacturing SME growth, with specific focus on education with particular focus on managers who hold a Post-Graduate Business qualification (PGB). A quantitative survey and qualitative interviews converge to explore characteristics surrounding the businesses under investigation. Educational qualifications differentiated the two management groups explored, one management group hold a PGB qualification the other does not. Purposeful sampling was utilised to ensure the sample businesses met specific criteria, based on location, business size and trading sector. Statistical and thematic analysis are utilised to examine the collated data. Results highlight that the PGB qualification holders achieve improved business results when results are measured using typical growth measures; revenue generation, profit and numbers employed. The results demonstrate that the theoretical under-pinning of this thesis is strong. The PGB holders realise improved results. The conclusions focus on several key areas; improved business results, access to education, staff retention, educational clubs, subsidiary businesses, key performance indicators, enhanced self-esteem and confidence, reflective learning alongside the need, or not, to generate profits. The research identifies that managers who do not hold a PGB qualification can lack confidence. Employees that attain PGB qualifications often advance their careers and find new employment. PGB appear to be valued to those that hold them but not necessarily to those that do not. SME managers are fully conversed with the deployment of a vast array of strategic business tools, irrespective of the qualifications they hold. This research contributes to knowledge in several ways, to include; adding weight to the debate surrounding the appropriateness of the current PGB curriculum, the relevance of management experience prior to undertaking a PGB qualification, family businesses and their employment strategies, and finally the researcher's personal knowledge and understanding about UK manufacturing SMEs. The outcomes of the research combine to form a creative framework, referred to as the "Grafton Gearbox" the functionality of the gearbox is detailed in chapter five. The research concludes by recommending improved training routes for governments to explore, these new routes engage business owners more favourably to realise improved performance from our nation's SMEs.
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