Delineating competency and opportunity recognition in the entrepreneurial intention analysis framework
Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies
ISSN: 2053-4604
Article publication date: 18 October 2021
Issue publication date: 20 January 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to delineate opportunity recognition as a competency from opportunity recognition as an outcome in the form of ideas and opportunities. In addition, a model was developed to examine the antecedents that lead to opportunity recognition competency, the intention to be an entrepreneur and finally, the actual number of ideas and opportunities discovered.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted cross-sectional design and collected quantitative data from a total of 247 randomly selected final year students from two private universities in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was applied to test the associations.
Findings
Study revealed that opportunity recognition competency and ability to develop ideas or exploitable opportunities are distinct constructs. Students with high competency in recognising opportunities are interested to be an entrepreneur but are not necessarily prepared with tangible ideas or exploitable opportunities. Absorptive capacity, entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial knowledge were found to be significant predictors of opportunity recognition competency.
Practical implications
Firstly, in managing outputs of entrepreneurship education and trainings, opportunity recognition competency and number of ideas and opportunities should be separately and explicitly measured. Secondly, entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial knowledge must be emphasised in entrepreneurial education or training on guiding students to be alert to information and honing their opportunity recognition competency skills through active search techniques.
Originality/value
This study is one of the few studies that clarify and empirically distinguish the concept of opportunity recognition as competency from opportunity recognition as an outcome in the forms of ideas and exploitable opportunities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study has been performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent for participation was obtained from respondents who participated in the survey. For the respondents who participated the survey online (using google form), they were asked to read the ethical statement posted on the top of the form (There is no compensation for responding nor is there any known risk. To ensure that all information will remain confidential, please do not include your name. Participation is strictly voluntary and you may refuse to participate at any time) and proceed only if they agree. No data was collected from anyone under 16 years old.
Availability of data and materials: All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article (Submitted with the Manuscript: additional supporting file).
Funding: This work did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in public, commercial and/or non-for-profit organizations.
Citation
Lim, W., Lee, Y. and Mamun, A.A. (2023), "Delineating competency and opportunity recognition in the entrepreneurial intention analysis framework", Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 212-232. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-02-2021-0080
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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