Competences, social capital and perceived performance of social entrepreneurs

Abstract

This study aimed at finding out the relationship between competences (operant and key personal competences) of social entrepreneurs, social capital and perceived performance of social entrepreneurs. The study was carried out after developing a conceptual framework that related competencies to perceived performance of social entrepreneurs as well as social capital to perceived performance of social entrepreneurs. A cross-sectional correlational survey design was used to collect data using a close-ended questionnaire that was developed from data of competence profile of social entrepreneurs. 181 respondents who were subordinates of social entrepreneurs at a managerial level were asked to rate their employers’ (social entrepreneurs’) competencies, social capital and performance. These respondents were conveniently selected. Data was entered using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and analysis outputs were generated for correlation, multiple regression, cross-tabulation and ANOVA test. A bivariate correlation produced positive correlation between competencies, social capital and perceived performance of social entrepreneurs. A multiple regression indicated that competences and social capital account for 20.4% of the variance in the perceived performance of social entrepreneurs and this prompted the researcher to recommend for further research to find out the other factors that may determine performance of social entrepreneurs whose contribution was found to be 79.6%. The researcher recommended a more wide-spread study of competences of social entrepreneurs in preparation for improvement in performance of social entrepreneurs including competence-based social entrepreneurship training as well as sensitization of social entrepreneurs about the importance of social capital towards their performance. The researcher also recommended that future researchers should use probability sampling that could provide more comprehensive results as opposed to convenience sampling.