Rethinking entrepreneurial competencies: A gender-focused analysis of students’ perceived competencies

This study addresses a research gap in understanding the gender dimensions of perceived entrepreneurial competencies among undergraduate and MBA entrepreneurship students. It aims to unravel the underlying abilities shaping these competencies and explore potential gender variations in perceptions, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of entrepreneurship courses. The research uses quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data from students who participated in entrepreneurship courses over four years. A competency survey, rooted in Morris et al.'s framework, captures self-assessments of entrepreneurial competencies. The study complements these quantitative findings with a systematic analysis of students' self-reflections, providing a comprehensive understanding of perceived competencies and potential gender differences. The research identifies specific entrepreneurial competencies—opportunity recognition and conveying a compelling vision—and their underlying abilities perceived as crucial by male and female students. It explores the extent to which gender influences these perceptions. The dual-method approach enriches insights, offering a nuanced understanding of how competencies are perceived and varying influences based on gender. This research uniquely explores the intricate dynamics of perceived entrepreneurial competencies, taking gender variations into account. It contributes to entrepreneurship course design and assessment, fostering students’ belief in entrepreneurial abilities and significantly contributing to self-concept development. •This research explores the intricate dynamics of perceived entrepreneurial competencies among entrepreneurship students.•The aim is to uncover the underlying abilities that shape competencies and to investigate gender differences in perception.•The study adopts a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative techniques.•OpportunityRecognition and Conveying a compelling vision are abilities perceived as crucial by male and female students.