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Knowledge, Learning and Innovation pp 5–26Cite as

Entrepreneurial Competencies and Firm Performance in Emerging Economies: A Study of Women Entrepreneurs in Malaysia

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Abstract

This study examines the effects of the different types of entrepreneurial competencies on firm performance in ventures founded by women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Focusing on the concept of entrepreneurial competencies incorporating competencies of analytical planning, innovation, enforcement/implementation, leadership, teamwork and networking, we tested the relationships between these different types of entrepreneurial competencies and firm performance using data collected from 117 women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Our findings indicate that only enforcement/implementation and network competencies have significant effects on firm performance. In particular, we find that network competency firm performance. The paper sheds some light in relation to women’s entrepreneurship in emerging economies, and recommends further research that could assist policymakers in implementing more effective initiatives to encourage and develop women entrepreneurs for the success of the economy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

    Noor Hazlina Ahmad & Zaiben Rashid

  2. Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia

    Yuliani Suseno, Pi-Shen Seet & Pattanee Susomrith

Authors
  1. Noor Hazlina Ahmad
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  2. Yuliani Suseno
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  3. Pi-Shen Seet
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  4. Pattanee Susomrith
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  5. Zaiben Rashid
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuliani Suseno .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. La Trobe University , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Vanessa Ratten

  2. Polytechnic Institute of Porto , Porto, Portugal

    Vitor Braga

  3. University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Do , Vila Real, Portugal

    Carla Susana Marques

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Ahmad, N., Suseno, Y., Seet, PS., Susomrith, P., Rashid, Z. (2018). Entrepreneurial Competencies and Firm Performance in Emerging Economies: A Study of Women Entrepreneurs in Malaysia. In: Ratten, V., Braga, V., Marques, C. (eds) Knowledge, Learning and Innovation . Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59282-4_2

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