From athlete to entrepreneur? – Investigating the influence of sport characteristics on athlete’s entrepreneurial orientation competencies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose/Rationale This study aims to test to what extent athletes of different demographics, sports types, and sports skills differ in their entrepreneurial competencies. Design/Methodology/Approach We assessed athletes’ entrepreneurial competencies using a social entrepreneurship scale by Capella-Peris. We used principal component analysis and reliability testing to classify entrepreneurial competencies and One-way-ANOVA to distinguish athlete subgroups by entrepreneurial competencies (n = 189). Findings The study finds significant differences depending on national origin, age and educational background. Furthermore, athletes participating in closed skill sports have higher team-oriented creativity than those engaged in open skill sports. Relevant avenues for future research are highlighted. Finally, validated constructs of entrepreneurship competencies cannot be applied to the sport context. In contrast to the three-factorial construct by Capella-Peris, we suggest five reliable entrepreneurship competencies. Practical Implications The findings are beneficial for practitioners involved in sport entrepreneurship education. Athletes and coaches are advised on how to plan their entrepreneurial activity depending on prevalent competencies set in their sports field to best prepare them for this potential alternative career path. Research contribution The proposed more specific entrepreneurship competencies in the context of sport provide a foundation for future research in the increasingly important field of sport entrepreneurship. Originality/Value This paper provides important data and avenues for reflection on how to tailor entrepreneurial education programmes for athletes from different personal and sporting backgrounds.