Coaching and Mentoring in Small to Medium Sized Enterprises in the UK: factors that affect success and a possible solution

This paper, adopts a case study approach in order to examine the issues relating to the deployment of a coaching and mentoring intervention within the context of a specific UK based small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). The SME coaching and mentoring research agenda is highlighted as an area urgently needing attention given its economic impact. This paper seeks to initiate this debate. The pre-eminence of culture within an organisational context is analysed in order to establish its uniqueness and impact on coaching and mentoring deployment. A number of barriers to effective coaching and mentoring within this context are also identified as issues that need to be incorporated within an intervention if it is to be successful. A coaching and mentoring programme was developed to incorporate these findings and provide a starting point to address the SME research chasm

What Factors Affect Coaching and Mentoring in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

This study adopts a mixed methodology case study approach in order to provide support for the call for a radical re-evaluation of what enables coaching and mentoring within the small and medium sized enterprise (SME) context. The findings highlight the complex and inter–related nature of many of the barriers that hinder practice and support the contention that at the core of both of these phenomena is the pervasive level of control that owner/managers actually wield. Significantly this means that owner/manages hold the key to coaching and mentoring success within the SME environment and their engagement by government agencies and providers is crucial

The significance of behavioural learning theory to the development of effective coaching practice

This paper outlines the potential significance of behaviourism and its impact on developing effective coaching practice. Its purpose is threefold: firstly, it addresses the issues resonating from the critique of behaviourism, which focuses on its limited understanding and application within the coaching community. This is interesting given the fact that many coaches and coaching manuals use these techniques almost without realising their rootedness within the behaviourist tradition. Secondly, the argument is made that if behaviourism is to be used in an informed and ethical way then an in depth understanding of its theoretical underpinnings and application as a learning theory is essential. To this end the historical development, critique and adaptation of behaviourism is outlined in order to develop this understanding within the wider coaching community. Finally, the argument is put forward that only through adopting an integrated approach to coaching practice development can the coaching discipline move forward upon a sound theoretical base. The areas that will establish this theoretical base are also highlighted in the future research that needs to be undertaken

An Analysis of the Impact of SME Organisational Culture on Coaching and Mentoring

This paper explores the relationship between small and medium sized enterprise (SME) organisational culture and its impact on coaching and mentoring through the use of a case study methodology. The impact of culture as a phenomenon and the significance of SMEs themselves is significant. Existing literature is used to focus the correlation between organisational cultures and performance, culture change and strategy development and deployment in order to argue that this phenomenon is omnipresent and impacts on every aspect of an organisation’s existence. The research draws on data that seeks to test the existence of organisational culture within SMEs. It then examines how respondents within SME organisations identify and articulate the impact of that culture. In conclusion this study provides the opportunity for respondents to identify any correlation between organisational culture and coaching/mentoring that they are aware of

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients