Competencies for entrepreneurship as a career option in a challenging employment environment

Abstract

Purpose – Entrepreneurship is an increasing relevant career option in the present labour market, which is complex and ever less rigidly structured. In this context, individuals need to develop a range of competencies, and one of major importance is resilience, defined as the ability to cope with difficult situations and to adapt to adverse environments. Taking into account the theory of planned behaviour, the purpose of this paper is to determine the direct relationship between resilience and entrepreneurship as a career option, and to analyse the mediating role of resilience in the relation between entrepreneurial intention (EI) and underlying factors such as attitudes towards entrepreneurship, social norms and self-efficacy. Design/methodology/approach – Using structural equation modelling, the authors studied a sample of 1,251 business students at a Spanish university. Findings – The results obtained reveal positive and significant relationships between resilience and EI, and highlight the mediating role played by resilience. Practical implications – Since resilience is a competency that can be developed, and taking into account the positive relationship observed between antecedents of EI and resilience, training activities should be designed in which these factors are jointly stimulated. In addition, the findings highlight the need for institutional actions to reinforce the social esteem of the entrepreneur. Originality/value – This paper contributes a valuable and relatively unexplored line of research concerning the relationship between one of the components of psychological capital and the choice of an entrepreneurial career.