Purpose -Entrepreneurial competencies are seen as important to business growth and success. The purpose of this paper is therefore to undertake a literature review of research on entrepreneurial competence in order to: provide an integrated account of contributions relating to entrepreneurial competencies by different authors working in different countries and different industry sectors and at different points in time; and, develop an agenda for future research, and practice in relation to entrepreneurial competencies. Design/methodology/approach -The article starts with a review of the development of the concept of competence, with particular reference to its use in the context of management competencies. It then draws together views on the notion of entrepreneurial competence before exploring and summarising research on the link between entrepreneurial competencies and business performance and growth. A core section then compares the models of entrepreneurial competencies cited in the literature, and on this basis proposes a set of entrepreneurial competencies which can be used as the basis for further research and practice. Finally, the different perspectives adopted by researchers to the measurement of entrepreneurial competencies are reviewed. Findings -Conclusions suggest that although the concept of entrepreneurial competencies is used widely by government agencies and others in their drive for economic development and business success, the core concept of entrepreneurial competencies, its measurement and its relationship to entrepreneurial performance and business success is in need of further rigorous research and development in practice. Originality/value -This article integrates previous models of entrepreneurial competencies towards the development of an entrepreneurial competency framework.

PurposeEntrepreneurial competencies have an impact on firm performance and growth. The purpose of this paper is to report empirical research into the entrepreneurial competencies reported by female entrepreneurs who are committed to the growth of their business.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire‐based survey of female entrepreneurs in England and Wales was conducted. The core of the questionnaire was a list of entrepreneurial competencies compiled from previous theoretical and empirical frameworks, coupled with Likert scales through which the entrepreneurs were invited to rate their ability in relation to each competency. PCA was conducted in order to identify clusters of competencies, and to identify the competencies that loaded onto those clusters.FindingsFour main clusters of competencies were identified: personal and relationship, business and management, entrepreneurial, and human relations competencies. Whilst previous research on the competencies of entrepreneurs has identified the two clusters of business and management, and entrepreneurial competencies, the competencies in the other two clusters have received less attention and have not been identified as clusters. Arguably, competencies in these clusters are valued more highly by female entrepreneurs than by their male counterparts.Originality/valueThis study is the first to offer a comprehensive analysis of the competencies of female entrepreneurs. By identifying four key groups of competencies, the research provides the basis for an agenda for focus in education, and development of female entrepreneurs. More specifically, the Female Entrepreneur Competence (FEC) framework generated by this research can be used to support female entrepreneurs in the self‐assessment of their competencies.

This study examines the relationship between internationalization orientation and international performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the mediating effect of technological innovation. Prior research suggests that internationalization is a prominent strategic choice for SMEs growth and profitability. However, there is still no explicit agreement on how internationalization affects international performance. Similarly, the role of innovation on performance has long been emphasized, but the implications of technological innovation on international performance are still eluding us. Our investigation of 116 SMEs in the United Kingdom reveals that internationalization orientation has a significant effect on their international performance. SMEs that have a strong international orientation can achieve better international firm performance. We further demonstrate that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between technological innovation and international firm performance among SMEs. In addition, the results indicate that technological innovation positively mediates the effect of internationalization orientation on international firm performance, particularly for the SMEs exhibiting moderate levels of technological innovation activities. The findings of this study suggest that managers can improve international performance by combining inward and outward internationalization orientation with technological innovation activities in their strategic decisions.

This study explores the important issue of how leadership facilitates employee innovation behaviors in SMEs. Ambidextrous leadership is introduced to the SME literature by investigating the influence of opening and closing leadership behaviors on employee's explorative and exploitative innovation behaviors. Using surveygenerated data from 98 high technology SMEs in the UK and by means of regression analyses, our findings reveal that opening and closing leadership behaviors predicted employee explorative and exploitative innovation behaviors respectively above all control variables. The combination of both leadership behaviors (ambidextrous leadership) also predicted employee ambidextrous innovation behaviors above all other leadership behaviors. A significant revelation was that the effect of ambidextrous leadership behaviors on employee ambidextrous innovation behaviors is mediated by adaptive/flexible leadership behavior. This study indicates that ambidextrous leadership is important for SMEs seeking to enhance employee innovative work behaviors.

Purpose -This paper aims to explore the planning strategies of female entrepreneurs who have indicated a desire to grow their businesses, the time horizons of planning strategies and the relationship between planning horizons and number of employees and annual sales as measures of business performance. Design/methodology/approach -In order to gather data for this exploratory study, a questionnaire was sent by e-mail to members of networks of female entrepreneurs across England and Wales. Questionnaires were selected for analysis on the basis of an indication from the respondent that they wished to grow their business. Data were entered into SPSS to generate descriptive statistics, and conduct hypothesis testing. Findings -The most preferred business growth strategies were: improving existing products or services and expanding advertising and promotion. Planning horizons are very short (often under three months), although the planning horizons associated with new products and entry into new markets were in some instances a little longer. Such short planning horizons could have serious consequences for business performance and growth. The planning horizons for cashflow, and investment in infrastructure showed a correlation with number of employees, whilst the planning horizons for cashflow, new product development, and expenditure showed a correlation with annual sales. Practical implications -Female entrepreneurs need to be encouraged to extend their planning horizons, especially in terms of financial indicators such as expenditure, cash flow, and investment. Originality/value -This research contributes to the growing literature on female entrepreneurs and their business, by providing further insight into their growth strategies and planning horizons.

This study investigates linkages between personal competencies and leadership style among female small and micro business owners. Although prior research suggests that leadership style is shaped according to a leader's traits and abilities, few empirical studies corroborate this, particularly among female owners. Using survey data from the North West of England, Yorkshire, and North Wales, we reveal that transformational leadership style is the most dominant style adopted, and it is linked to perceived human and personal competencies as well as entrepreneurial competencies.

Purpose-Entrepreneurial competencies have an impact on firm performance and growth. This article reports empirical research into the entrepreneurial competencies reported by female entrepreneurs who are committed to the growth of their business. Design/methodology/approach-A questionnaire based survey of female entrepreneurs in England and Wales was conducted. The core of the questionnaire was a list of entrepreneurial competencies compiled from previous theoretical and empirical frameworks, coupled with Likert scales through which the entrepreneurs were invited to rate their ability in relation to each competency. PCA was conducted in order to identify clusters of competencies, and to identify the competencies that loaded onto those clusters. Findings-Four main clusters of competencies were identified: Personal & Relationship, Business & Management, Entrepreneurial, and Human Relations Competencies. Whilst previous research on the competencies of entrepreneurs has identified the two clusters of Business & Management, and Entrepreneurial competencies, the competencies in the other two clusters have received less attention and have not been identified as clusters. Arguably, competencies in these clusters are valued more highly by female entrepreneurs than by their male counterparts. Originality/value-This study is the first to offer a comprehensive analysis the competencies of female entrepreneurs. By identifying four key groups of competencies, the research provides the basis for an agenda for focus in education, and development of female entrepreneurs. More specifically, the Female Entrepreneur Competence (FEC) Framework generated by this research can be used to support female entrepreneurs in the self-assessment of their competencies.

This paper presents an interdisciplinary investigation into local scale case studies from across rural food and drink-based activities including microenterprises that produce and widen markets for local foods and drinks including food tourism initiatives. Case study analysis is used to investigate first, how entrepreneurship may translate policy into means of addressing a range of social and economic challenges of rural communities in Wales and second, the broader contributions that rural entrepreneurship and social enterprises have made in delivering sustainable local food and drink-based initiatives that have broader community value added. The context for case study analysis includes discourse on equitable and appropriate development, partnership working and community decision making and empowerment within the governance framework of One Planet Wales Sustainable Development commitment. This analysis is timely given current directions in European funding towards broader rural development and the promotion of food and drink heritage based rural tourism by Welsh Government as a tool of choice for ensuring rural wellbeing.