Publication Type

Master Thesis

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is of critical importance to the modern economy. Researchers have studied entrepreneurship for decades. In recent years, significant relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and firm performance has been reported in empirical studies. Applying the competency approach, researchers have assumed that entrepreneurial competency differentiates entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs without empirically examining if this is the case. The research conducted under this thesis addresses this gap. Drawing upon a thorough literature review regarding the components, antecedents and performance outcomes of the entrepreneurial competency, we propose the following hypothesis: the entrepreneurs generally possess higher level of entrepreneurial competencies than the non-entrepreneurs, and the entrepreneurs and the non-entrepreneurs can be discriminated based on their entrepreneurial competency level. A survey is conducted among the business owners and the managers. Employing discriminant analysis, we find empirical evidence that the business owners generally possess higher level of entrepreneurial competencies than the managers, and the business owners and the managers can be discriminated based on their entrepreneurial competency level, which supports our hypothesis.

Year Dissertation/Thesis Completed

2009

Keywords

Competencies, Competitiveness, Corporate profits, Entrepreneurial management, Entrepreneurs, Owner-manager

Discipline

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Degree Awarded

Master of Science in Management

Supervisor(s)

Tan Wee Liang

School

Lee Kong Chian School of Business