Title: Competency model for microentrepreneurs in depressed environments

Authors: Mario Fernandez-Ronquillo; Xavier Llinas-Audet; Ferran Sabate

Addresses: Faculty of Administrative and Commercial Sciences, Universidad Estatal de Milagro, Km. 1-1/2 vía Virgen de Fátima, CRAI Building, Office 42, Ecuador ' Department of Management, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona Tech, C/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Campus Nord UPC, Building C5, Office 010A, 08034, Barcelona, Spain ' Department of Management, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona Tech, C/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Campus Nord UPC, Building C5, Office 002, 08034, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: Microentrepreneurs who have their businesses located in depressed regions are generally unaware of their basic competencies, especially their application and the benefits that are obtained when these are linked to the development of business management. Under this premise, this study aims to propose a competency model for microentrepreneurs to offer them a better understanding of how basic competences can improve their management actions and business performance. The competences in dimensions are identified and grouped; likewise, the importance of the model is determined with the support of a panel of experts linked to the micro enterprise sector. The competences proposed are distributed in the areas of action in which microentrepreneurs develop their activities. As a result, the model establishes 27 competencies that determine microentrepreneurs' competences in depressed environments. Benefits for microentrepreneurs are additional knowledge to plan better training in basic competences and the improvement of their management skills and business performance.

Keywords: competences; competence model; microentrepreneurs; microenterprises; depressed environments; competencies; skills; management; development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2018.096255

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2018 Vol.17 No.4, pp.363 - 387

Received: 18 Oct 2017
Accepted: 17 Sep 2018

Published online: 19 Nov 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article