Learning to Cope with Turbulent Situations: A Study of Owner—Managers in Argentine SMEs

This exploratory study of owner-managers’ handling of turbulent situations (TS) in four Argentine SMEs during 2014 gives insight into organizational learning processes. Significant differences between managers are shown in respect to approaching turbulent situations. The development of a cognitive map for turbulent situations, in combination with managers' motivation to engage in turbulent situations; their acceptance of these circumstances as a special task, which can be learned; their understanding of the ‘right’ time for learning; and, the goal they want to achieve (spontaneous adaptation or embedded intelligence), are discussed as important preconditions to develop learning mechanism for handling TS. This chapter concludes by making suggestions of how SMEs can be supported in TS.