Articlegreen2007

Competence development of entrepreneurs in innovative horticulture

Martin Mulder · Thomas Lans · Jos A. A. M. Verstegen · Harm J. A. Biemans · Ypie Meijer

87 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Workplace Learning

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Innovative Education and Learning Practices Competency Development and Evaluation Organizational Learning and Leadership

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the learning of entrepreneurs in authentic learning environments. The research questions are: How do entrepreneurs assess their compentencies, and how do employees and external consultants assess the compentencies of these entrepreneurs? What are the competence strengths and weaknesses of entrepreneurs? What are the learning activities that entrepreneurs perform? Design/methodology/approach Ten small business owners participated in a self‐assessment and an assessment by employees and external consultants. Follow‐up interviews elicited work‐related learning activities. The interviews were transcribed. Descriptive statistics,t‐tests and correlation tests, and a qualitative analysis of interview transcriptions were performed. Findings Competencies are being rated differently. Competence assessment is a potentially powerful learning source. The top competence strength is having a learning orientation. A total of 99 learning activities were found embedded in the innovative work processes of the entrepreneurs. The top three learning activities were reflection, observation and experimentation. Research limitations/implications The study is based on only ten entrepreneurs. Research is planned with a larger numbers of subjects. Practical implications Competence assessment needs to be provided for entrepreneurs in the sector as a tool for deeper self‐reflection, and further performance improvement. Originality/value Much research on skills development and workplace learning is about employees in large organisations. However, employers in small and medium‐sized companies are also an interesting professional group to study, since they create working and learning places for employees. Not much is know about their competence development. This study addresses that target group.

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References

1954The critical incident technique.2007Critical Incident Technique 1988“Who Is an Entrepreneur?” Is the Wrong Question 2003A General Theory of Entrepreneurship: The Individual-Opportunity Nexus 2003A General Theory of Entrepreneurship 2002The competitiveness of small and medium enterprises 1992The founder's self-assessed competence and venture performance 2000Learning by doing – An exploration of experience, critical incidents and reflection in entrepreneurial learning

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2014Conceptions of Professional Competence 2015Entrepreneurial competencies: Assessment and predictive value for entrepreneurship 2008ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN A SMALL BUSINESS CONTEXT: INSIGHTS FROM THE COMPETENCE-BASED APPROACH 2011Analysing, pursuing and networking: Towards a validated three-factor framework for entrepreneurial competence from a small firm perspective 2008The Influence of the Work Environment on Entrepreneurial Learning of Small-business Owners

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