Aprendizagem e Competências Empreendedoras: Estudo de casos de Micro e Pequenas Empresas do Setor Educacional

The present study, carried out with small and medium companies (SMCs) owners/managers of the private educational sector in Curitiba, had as its aim analyzing the way opportunity and managing enterprising competences were developed through a process of an enterprising learning. A conceptual model based on Politis enterprising learning models (2005) and on Man and Laus enterprising competences (2000) was outlined. The methodology consisted on an exploiting study, with a qualitative approach and temporal perspective of a transverse section with longitudinal approximation. A study of some cases (nine) was carried out. As a result, it was possible to identify the development of the opportunity and managing competences which were evaluated, in general terms, in the average by the enterprisers; they were analyzed and re-evaluated. It was possible to verify that the managing competence was developed with a slightly higher level in comparison to the opportunity one. That fact can be considered as a feature of the educational sector, in this research, once people identify themselves with the occupation and remain years in the activity. All the factors that are related to the process of transformation were identified and registered. Regarding to the researchers theses, it was possible identify that the interviewees present the exploitation as the prevailing model of transformation of the experience into knowledge; and more than one style as orientation to the career, as specialist and spiral, for example. Besides, it was possible to introduce suggestions for the refinement in the learning and competences conceptual model used.