Abstract:

Entrepreneurial competencies are related to accomplishment of a company and its effectiveness (Man et al., 2002), and development (Colombo and Grilli, 2005). Though there is a significant body of research relating to entrepreneurial competencies (Man et al., 2002; Mitchelmore and Rowley, 2010), there are still gaps in the knowledge base. Issues relating to the competencies development process relating to the young people have generally been neglected. Furthermore, numerous scholars in entrepreneurship have assessed the entrepreneurial competencies in developed economies (e.g. Brinckmann et al., 2011; Man and Lau, 2000; Lerner and Almor, 2002; Rasmussen et al., 2011). However, there is a gap in the knowledge base relating to the specific entrepreneurial competencies of entrepreneurs in emerging economies. Capaldo et al. (2004) suggested that the context shapes entrepreneurial competencies and skills.

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the entrepreneurial competencies reported by business and engineering students in Ukraine. The aim of the study is to analyze whether entrepreneurial education can enhance entrepreneurial competencies and skills with reference to resource constrained and hostile environments in emerging economies. This study analyzes general and specific entrepreneurial competencies with reference to the special context of emerging economy. Guided by the insights from the emerging dynamic entrepreneurial competencies perspective (Man et al., 2002), this study provides fresh insights into what competencies students acquire with reference to the dysfunctional institutional legacies in the emerging economy context. This quantitative study explores the following research questions:
(1) What is the role of entrepreneurship courses in shaping entrepreneurial skills and competencies of students?
(2) What entrepreneurial competencies and skills are associated with the higher level of entrepreneurial intentions?

A novel conceptual contribution is the exploration of links between entrepreneurship education and competencies relating to entrepreneurship. The information from 189 respondents is used to test a postulate that entrepreneurship education enhances entrepreneurial competencies and skills in an emerging market. This study adds to debates relating to the role of skills in shaping entrepreneurial intentions in emerging economies (Solesvik, 2017a; Solesvik et al., 2014). Several important competencies, specific to young entrepreneurs are highlighted, which are linked to specific institutional environment of Ukraine. The study also covers a methodological gap in the research on entrepreneurial competencies related to the lack of comparative studies in the field (Man et al., 2002). This study seeks to take up this challenge by focusing both upon students who have taken entrepreneurship courses and those who have not participated in entrepreneurship education.

Practitioners need to be aware that common enterprise competencies can be mastered in enterprise education programs. Notably, distinctive entrepreneurial competencies are more complex and less tangible. New knowledge will also facilitate policy-makers to provide support for young people with more appropriate courses aimed for competency and skills development. The insights from the survey may be a useful base for entrepreneurs in emerging markets to make an audit of enterprise education programs offered by higher educational institutions in Ukraine.

Keywords:

Enterprise education, entrepreneurship, competencies, survey.