Bridging the Research Gap-A Framework for Assessing Entrepreneurial Competencies Based on Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

This research contributes to the growing discussion on entrepreneurial competencies from a multidisciplinary point of view, integrating elements of entrepreneurship research, education sciences, and psychology. Despite many efforts to develop and utilize different entrepreneurial constructs in entrepreneurship education, there is still a lack of theoretical framework for systematic development and measurement validation related to entrepreneurial competencies. This paper aims to widen the theoretical and conceptual discussion on entrepreneurial competencies by stressing the roles of self-esteem and self-efficacy. The study aims to contribute to the academic discussion (1) by addressing this research gap through a literature-based analysis on how entrepreneurial competencies, self-efficacy and self-esteem relate to each other; and (2) by presenting a conceptual framework (ENTself) for further development of entrepreneurship education. The results of the study reflect how self-esteem and self-efficacy are connected, and how they can be aligned with entrepreneurial competencies. We argue that a systematic, theory-based approach to further research on entrepreneurial competencies, based on the proposed framework, is needed for a broader understanding and facilitation of entrepreneurship education. Also, the development of assessment tools adapted from ENTself is suggested for conducting future research of the framework and its validation.