The aim of this study is to analyse owner's professional development in small hospitality firms. It focuses on the learning process through the analysis of competencies perceived as essential to business performance, training style and the way these owners perceive how they learn. Furthermore, it considers how the owners can learn through networks. The study can be considered qualitative, exploratory and interpretative and the data was collected from a sample of thirty business owners of small hospitality firms localized in Sergipe, Brazil, who were encouraged to elaborate their responses. The discussion concerning the development of these owners confirms some of the theoretical framework focusing upon difficulties in finding ways to increase the owner's competence level and to identify strategies to stimulate the adoption of a lifelong learning philosophy.
owners development; competences; networks; small firms; hospitality sector
