A Competency-Based Framework for Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills in Business Education

Thesis Abstract

The rapid pace of global economic transformation and the increasing recognition of entrepreneurship as a pivotal driver of economic development underscore the need for business education to effectively cultivate entrepreneurial competencies among students. Despite significant efforts to integrate entrepreneurial learning within curricula, there remains a gap in systematically identifying, developing, and measuring the core competencies essential for entrepreneurial success. This study aims to develop a comprehensive, competency-based framework designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills within business education settings, thereby contributing to the effectiveness and relevance of entrepreneurship training programs. The specific objectives include identifying key entrepreneurial competencies required by graduates, examining current pedagogical approaches, constructing the framework grounded in relevant theories, and validating the framework through empirical testing. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches to ensure a holistic understanding of entrepreneurial competency development. The qualitative phase involves a phenomenological investigation through semi-structured interviews with 25 entrepreneurship educators and 30 alumni of business programs actively engaged in entrepreneurial activities, aimed at exploring perceived competency gaps and pedagogical challenges. The quantitative phase adopts a survey methodology, sampling 400 undergraduate business students from four leading universities through stratified random sampling, to quantify the importance of identified competencies and evaluate current curriculum efficacy. Data collection instruments comprise interview guides, structured questionnaires validated through expert review and pilot testing, with reliability established via Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.85. Quantitative data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and multiple regression analysis to determine the influence of specific competencies on entrepreneurial intentions and behaviors. The expected findings suggest that core competencies such as opportunity recognition, risk management, financial literacy, communication, and resilience play critical roles in entrepreneurial success. The research anticipates identifying significant gaps between current educational practices and industry-relevant competence requirements, highlighting areas for curriculum enhancement. The developed framework is expected to provide a detailed competency matrix, pedagogical strategies for integration, and metrics for ongoing assessment, corroborated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). This study contributes to existing knowledge by offering a theoretically grounded, empirically validated model that aligns entrepreneurial skill development with contemporary educational practices. The framework synthesizes insights from Schumpeterian innovation theory and Bandura’s social cognitive theory, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning and self-efficacy in fostering entrepreneurial competencies. The findings are intended to guide educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers in designing targeted interventions that enhance entrepreneurial preparedness among graduates, thereby improving employability, self-employment rates, and economic resilience. In conclusion, the research underscores the critical need for a structured competency-based approach within business education, proposing that such frameworks can substantially elevate the quality and relevancy of entrepreneurship training. Recommendations include integrating the competency framework into existing curricula, developing assessment rubrics aligned with core skills, and establishing industry-education partnerships for practical exposure. Additionally, future research should explore longitudinal impacts of competency-based curricula on entrepreneurial outcomes and adapt the framework to diverse educational contexts. This study thereby offers a strategic blueprint for transforming business education into a more effective incubator of entrepreneurial talent.