Title: Entrepreneurial competencies in successfully innovative SMEs

Authors: Kyllikki Taipale-Erävala; Kaisa Henttonen; Hannele Lampela

Addresses: Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, Pajatie 5, 85500 Nivala, Finland ' School of Business, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70210 Kuopio, Finland ' School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland; Research Support Services, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4300, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland

Abstract: This study examines what kinds of specific entrepreneurial competencies enable SMEs to successfully implement innovations. The conceptual research approach is supported by empirical data in a multiple case study. A framework of entrepreneurial competencies in the 2000s is created, based on how they are defined in the recent literature, and the framework is reflected with qualitative interview data from 13 innovative Finnish SMEs in the forest industry. The study indicates that in SMEs that were able to successfully exploit and execute innovations, the entrepreneurial competencies include special extrovert competencies (e.g., open-mindedness), competencies related to preparation, and pro-activeness in business operations, which all seem to have a significant influence on successfully implementing innovations. Additionally, the study concluded that there are no notable differences between different innovation types and found entrepreneurial competencies in innovative SMEs.

Keywords: entrepreneurial competencies; entrepreneurship; small business; innovative; Finland; multiple case study; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2019.103428

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2019 Vol.38 No.3, pp.251 - 276

Received: 09 Feb 2017
Accepted: 15 Oct 2017
Published online: 06 Nov 2019 *

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