Title: Developing effectuation skills in digitally operating, entrepreneurial teams: the functionality of a multisource assessment system

Authors: Rainer Hensel; Ronald Visser; Ellen Sjoer

Addresses: Research Group Sustainable Talent Development, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Hague, The Netherlands ' Bachelor of Science Programme, The Hague, The Netherlands ' Research Group Sustainable Talent Development, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Hague, The Netherlands

Abstract: A structural equation analysis was conducted to analyse the functionality of a self- and multisource peer-assessment methodology targeted at the development of strategic decision-making skills in small entrepreneurial teams. The strategic decision-making skills were operationalised by the effectuation framework. The final model shows that especially the multisource peer-assessment proves to be a valuable source of feedback for the developmental effectiveness, as it is closely related to the accomplishment of making an observable behavioural change. Innovative competencies function as a key variable, mediating the effect on developmental effectiveness of cognitive business skills, networking skills and goal-directed qualities. The results add to the theoretical understandings of the suitability of a self- and multisource peer-assessment as a specific strategic human-resource development methodology targeted at developing effectuation skills. Furthermore, the results show that differences exist in accordance with the actor observer theory, regarding the underlying dimensionality between the self- and the peer-assessment. A multilevel analysis has revealed the existence of a strong team membership-effect on the rated developmental effectiveness. In accordance with the theoretical shared mental models framework, this pinpoints the relevance of a team climate for developing strategic decision-making skills.

Keywords: effectuation; multisource feedback; entrepreneurial decision-making; innovation; business knowledge; strategic human resource development.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2025.146854

European Journal of International Management, 2025 Vol.26 No.3/4, pp.512 - 540

Received: 05 Sep 2022
Accepted: 09 Dec 2023
Published online: 23 Jun 2025 *

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