Cai Li, Agyemang Kwasi Sampene, Fredrick Oteng Agyeman, Brenya Robert
This current study examined entrepreneur competencies (EC), entrepreneur skills (ES), and entrepreneur role (ER) as a potential pathway to improving entrepreneurship development (ED) among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. EC, ES, and ER have an effect on ED. This study aims to provide an empirical analysis into EC, ES, and ER and how they affect ED among SMEs in emerging economies like Ghana. The study has utilized hierarchical regression analysis for testing the hypothesis. Data was collected from 650 entrepreneurs in Ghana’s informal SMEs using a survey study design approach. In this study, three key variables were selected for EC, which include Opportunity Identification competence (OIC), Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs), and Technological and Innovation Competency (TIC). ES was also measured with Critical Thinking Skills (CTS), Effective Communication Skills (ECS), and Problem-Solving Skills (PSS), and the entrepreneurial roles were measures with Job Creation Role (JCR) and Role in Economic Development (RED) as a predictor to ED. The findings from the study revealed that the predictors of EC such as OIC, PECs, and TIC are essential for achieving ED. Also, the predictors of ES, including CTS and PSS, have a positive association with ED. However, ECS was found to have a negative relationship with ED. Interestingly ER such as JRC and RED were positively related to ED. The study advocates EC, ES, and ER as valuable tools for developing entrepreneurship and further strengthen the SMEs towards improving innovative strategies and policies in sustaining their business. This research contributes enormously to entrepreneurship literature on EC, ES, and ER and offers an original contribution with implications for theory and practice. This research also provides a roadmap on areas that SME stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, government, and policymakers should consider in making an investment that can lead to ED in emerging economies.