Do Competencies of Entrepreneurs Influence the Performance of Small and Medium Firms: A Study on Small and Medium Size Poultry Firms in Khulna City

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies (skills that entrepreneurs require to perform their jobs to their full potentials) and firms performance (indicator that includes firms’ growth, profitability and market share).
Design/Methodology/Approach: The theoretical model is drawn based on previous literatures and quantitative approach is applied. Data was collected from the 150 owners of the poultry firms (SMEs) in different areas of Khulna concerning 10 specific types of competencies (independent variable) towards firms’ performance (dependent variable).
Findings: There remains a positive relationship between the entrepreneurial competencies and firms performance. Thus, if entrepreneurs give more attention to enhance entrepreneurial competencies, then it will result in better firms’ performance.
Implications: The findings of this work is important to the entrepreneurship researchers, the practitioners and policy makers because of its concentration towards the fundamental proposition of entrepreneurial competency approach and to have better understanding of the importance of entrepreneurship for economic growth and new job creation.
Originality/value: This study is conducted both including the female entrepreneurial domain and emerging economies like Bangladesh which is done for the first time and thus has added special value to this paper.