The Influence of Developmental Networks on Entrepreneurial Competence Development

Description

This paper presents our findings from 980 active and former Junior Enterprise members and considers their individual competence development. The study examines the linkages between developmental networks and entrepreneurial intention. The authors argue that Junior Enterprises as developmental networks contribute to competence development and entrepreneurial intention and both elements contribute to overall employability and career development. Few quantitative studies have examined entrepreneurial competences in a cross-industry setting in the context of organisational/strategic change, and few have adopted developmental network perspective. Data collected in 12 countries in 2009 support our hypotheses. As a result the study showed the linkages between entrepreneurial competences and developmental networks in a cross-industry sense. The results provide a good way to confront entrepreneurs with their own qualities and with areas for improvement and discussion. The findings elucidate differences between entrepreneurial identity configuration drivers with regard to the competence development processes of the individuals. Overall, our study repudiates the traditional mentoring perspective in favour of the „developmental network perspective” (Cotton, Shen, & Livne-Tarandach, 2011b). The special value of Junior Enterprises to careers in current conditions requiring greater self-direction, flexibility and entrepreneurial intention is emphasised.

Period	11 Jun 2012
Event title	European Academy of Management Conference
Event type	Conference
Location	NetherlandsShow on map