Understanding the link: the competencies and motivations of nascent entrepreneurs to engage in sustainable entrepreneurship

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to understand the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies (self-efficacy and social capital) and sustainable entrepreneurship and its incidence through entrepreneurial motivations (opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship). Design/methodology/approach The authors adopt a quantitative approach and use ordinary least squares regressions and bootstrapping analysis to test the hypotheses about the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and sustainable entrepreneurship mediated by entrepreneurial motivations using a cross-sectional sample of 2,356 nascent entrepreneurs from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2021–2022 report. Findings Evidence suggests that sustainable entrepreneurship is positively influenced by both opportunity- and necessity-driven entrepreneurship. Additionally, the results show that both entrepreneurial motivations positively mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and sustainable entrepreneurship. Originality/value The approach departs from the traditional unidimensional perspective on entrepreneurial motivations, recognizing that an entrepreneur can simultaneously embody varying degrees of both motivations. By integrating the study of entrepreneurial competencies and motivations into sustainable entrepreneurship, we can gain a holistic understanding of the dynamics at play.