Purpose This study aims to explore factors hindering small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) growth in Khomas region in Nambia. Methodology/design/approach Methodology adopted is qualitative approach with a case study research design including in-depth interviews and deep observations. Findings Findings indicate that these SMEs experience stealing, security problems and fights from the customers, which hinder business growth. In addition, though they understand the importance of technology in boosting business growth, they are not able to keep the pace with changing technology, which impacts their business development. It was further found that access to finance, appropriate marketing strategies, lack of skilled manpower and poor customer service also hinder their business growth. Research limitations/implications The special aspect of case study design is that it defines the delimitation of the research study and may find it necessary to adjust the boundaries that in any case have initially been determined arbitrarily. Being a case approach, it may be difficult to generalize for all kinds of SMEs. Practical implications The problem faced by business owners as explored in this study brings a further dimension to the current literature on factors that hinder growth of SMEs. According to literature studies on factors hindering business growth, especially for SMEs selling alcoholic beverages, factors such as fighting, stealing and insulting as found in this study provide a new dimension on popular businesses especially in high-density areas or locations as they are popularly known in Namibia. Originality/value The originality of this study is the line of business - SMEs selling alcoholic beverages. This line of business is very popular and many venture into this because of the demand and profitability but because there are no studies, this paper will contribute and provide a framework to ensure success and business growth for future entrepreneurs in this line of business.

In recent years the number and visibility of training and development initiatives within multinational corporations have increased, yet empirical analyses of corporate universities remain rare. In this paper, through existing literature survey and contextual analysis, an attempt is made to understand role of corporate universities edification in knowledge society. In 40 years, the learning and development function within corporations based in the USA, Japan and Europe has become increasingly mission-critical, sophisticated and centralised. This trend is now accelerating in the rest of Asia and the Middle East. Corporations such as Infosys in India, Huawei in China, Singapore Airlines in Singapore and Etisalat in the United Arab Emirates have wellestablished corporate universities. Corporate university initiatives are located within the organisational world that has generated them, and in particular recent managerial discourses of human resource management, knowledge management and the 'learning organisation'. Lastly, corporate universities' potential future is also debated upon.

Learning and development has become increasingly challenging, critical, sophisticated and vital in knowledge based global economy. This trend is now accelerating in the rest of Asia and the Middle East. Corporations such as Infosys in India, Huawei in China, Singapore Airlines in Singapore and Etisalat in the United Arab Emirates have well-established corporate universities/learning centers. Other Asian and Middle Eastern corporations, both large and small, are following suit and allocating huge resources to strengthen their learning and development function. As corporate universities make new waves, the days of viewing them as training departments with fancy names are gone. Besides, the corporate university movement has become truly global in scope with them becoming sophisticated and highly visible world over. Using published research and the author's own work, this paper explores the current state of the corporate university and role of corporate university in higher education.

Women entrepreneurship can be the driving force to steer nations globally towards the achievement of economic and social development goals through job creation and poverty alleviation. However, financial literacy is an essential and intangible resource that is critical for growth, success, and sustained competitive advantage. Yet, lack of financial literacy is one of the key challenges affecting the business growth of women entrepreneurs. Hence, adopting a qualitative approach and data collected through the interview method from twenty-three women entrepreneurs selected through purposive sampling based on the criteria of an established business for five years with at least three employees, the study aimed at investigating the financial literacy imperative for the success of women entrepreneurship. Findings indicate that financial literacy greatly influences the success of women entrepreneurship and hence recommends group-based and focused training for women entrepreneurs through suitable programs to equip and enhance financial literacy among women entrepreneurs.