Entrepreneurial Competences and Entrepreneurial Performance: Empirical Insights of Female Entrepreneurs in Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine entrepreneurial competences among female entrepreneurs within the context of developed countries which have been greatly neglected in the same context of emerging economies. This empirical research is based on a survey of 301 micro and small enterprises located in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, run by female entrepreneurs. Its focus is on the following entrepreneurial competences: the need for achievement, locus of control, tolerance of ambiguity, innovativeness, risk-taking propensity, self-efficacy, egoistic passion; goal setting; resilience; trustworthiness; emotional stability; and patience. In measuring entrepreneurial performance, the constructs of firm performance, development of personal wealth, and social performance were used. The findings show that a proper measurement instrument has been applied to check on the constructs of entrepreneurial competences and entrepreneurial performance. The paper makes a finding that entrepreneurial competences do exist among female entrepreneurs in emerging economies. However, it was established that there is hardly any correlation between entrepreneurial competences and entrepreneurial performance. This finding, presents a stimulating area for further research within the contextual framework of emerging economies. The study contributes to the advancement of the literature on entrepreneurial competences and how they relate to the entrepreneurial performance of female entrepreneurs in an emerging economy context.