| Abstract: | A bstract . Size composition of Eastern Caribbean businesses was found to be bimodal. Very few businesses employed 10 to 50 people, most had either a larger or a smaller number. This unexpected result emerged from a survey to determine management training needs in the region. The survey included 134 face-to-face interviews with business people. Respondents gave several possible explanations for this unusual pattern; among those mentioned were historical factors, barriers to entry, and to access to credit; racial stereotypes , and status perceptions. Respondents described the microbusiness sector and types of management training and of education that would stimulate the growth of micro businesses in contrast to training that would improve performance at larger companies. Respondents felt that restructuring the business sector of each economy, in terms of product mix as well as size composition, would help stimulate economic growth in the region. |
