Open Access

A Strategic Framework for Assessing Entrepreneurial Competencies and SME Performance in Competitive Business Environments

https://doi.org/10.55640/ijmbd-v03i10-02

PDF

Hiroshi Nakamura ¹ , Yuki Tanaka ¹ ,

⁴ Department of Business Administration, Osaka International University, Osaka, Japan

⁴ Faculty of Management Studies, Nagoya Metropolitan University, Nagoya, Japan

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate in increasingly competitive environments where entrepreneurial competencies influence the capacity of firms to identify opportunities, manage uncertainty, innovate, and sustain performance. This paper develops a strategic framework for assessing the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and SME performance by synthesizing the supplied literature on entrepreneurial skills, dynamic capabilities, innovation, risk-taking, sustainability, market orientation, stakeholder relationships, and enterprise competitiveness. A conceptual research approach is adopted in which entrepreneurial competencies are positioned as strategic organizational resources that affect SME outcomes through opportunity recognition, innovation capability, risk management, strategic adaptation, and market engagement. The analysis indicates that entrepreneurial competencies should not be evaluated solely as individual skills; rather, their contribution to SME performance depends on how effectively they are transformed into organizational capabilities and competitive actions. The proposed framework integrates competency dimensions with financial, market, operational, innovation, and sustainability-oriented performance indicators. The study further identifies a research gap concerning the systematic integration of entrepreneurial competencies with dynamic capabilities and contextual business conditions. The framework provides a basis for empirical assessment and supports SME owners, policymakers, educators, and business-development institutions in designing competency-oriented interventions.

Keywords

Entrepreneurial Competencies, SME Performance, Dynamic Capabilities

References

Dinah, M.A. and Sarah, H.D. ( ) . Entrepreneurship skills and performance of women-owned enterprises in Benue State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social sciences, (IJRIS), 8(4), 2024.

Hosseininia, G., & Ramezani, A. (2016). Factors influencing sustainable entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized enterprises in Iran: a case study of food industry. MDPI, Open Access Journal, 8(10), I-20. Retrieved from

Ifekwem, N., & Adedamola, O. (2016). Survival strategies and sustainability of small and medium enterprises in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State. Acta Universities Sapientiae: Economics and Business, 4(1), 103-118.

Miranda, A. T., & Miranda, J. L. (2018). Status and conditions of small-and mediumsized enterprises as predictors in empowering rural communities in Samar Island, Philippines. Asia, Pacific, Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 105-119.

Nuryakin. (2018). Competitive advantage and product innovation: Key success of Batik SMEs marketing performance in Indonesia. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 17(2), 1–18.

Respondents opinion on the effect of services quality management influence social loyalty in hospitality industry in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Teece, D. J. And Pisano, G. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal,18(7), 537-533.

Teece, D.J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and micro foundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350.

Tehseen, S., & Ramayah, T. (2015). Entrepreneurial competencies and SMEs business success: The Contingent Role of External Integration. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6, 50-61.

Umunadi, E.K. (2014). Acquisition of entrepreneurial and technical education skills for global competitive and job creation. International Journal of Educational Research, 13(1), 128-144.

Undiayaundeye, A. (2015). Entrepreneurship skills acquisition and the benefits amongst the undergraduate students in Nigeria. European Journal of social sciences, 4(1).

Undiayaundeye), A. (2015). Entrepreneurship skills acquisition and the benefits amongst the undergraduate students in Nigeria. European Journal of social sciences, 4(1).

Valentinov, V., Roth, S., & Will, M. G. (2019). Stakeholder theory: a Luhmannian perspective. Administration and Society, 51(5), 826–849.

Vladimirov), Z. (2016). Small and Medium Enterprises and performance: the mediating role of product innovation. International Review of Entreprenuership, 14(2), 13.

Wanbugu), A.W. Gichira, R., Wanjau, K.N. & Mungatu, J. (2015). The relationship between risk taking and performance of small and medium Agro processing enterprise in Kenya. International Journal of Economic, Commerce and Management, 3(2), 441-455.

Wahyuni, N. M., & Sara, I. M. (2020). Market Orientation and Innovation Performance: Mediating Effects of Customer Engagement in SMEs. Journal of Economics, Business, & Accountancy Ventura, 23(1), 28–37.

World Bank Group (2015). Doing business. Measuring business regulation. {online at}

Zehra, N. (2016). Training & development barometer for effective transformation of organizational commitment and overall performance in banking sectors of KPK, Pakistan: Qualitative study of Workforce of Bank of Khyber, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 6(6), 246-267.

Zollo, M. and Winter, S.G. (2002). Deliberate learning and the evolution of dynamic capabilities, Organization Science, 13, 339-35.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > >>

International Journal of Management and Business Development

A Strategic Framework for Assessing Entrepreneurial Competencies and SME Performance in Competitive Business Environments

Abstract

Keywords

References

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles