Social network, entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial competence based on an empirical research on entrepreneurs of small and micro enterprises
Entrepreneurs' entrepreneurial competence is a core element to determine the success of entrepreneurship,entrepreneurial learning is the key to the development of entrepreneurial competence,and social network provides a great deal of knowledge resources for entrepreneurs to enhance their entrepreneurial competence.However,few studies explore the action mechanisms of social network,entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial competence from the perspective of entrepreneurs.This paper builds a conceptual model of the relationship among social network,entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial competence,and uses structural equation analysis method to conduct an empirical test on the theoretical hypothesis,based on a sample of 409 entrepreneurs in small and micro enterprises.The results show that:(1) entrepreneurs' social network objectively contains a subset of " learning network" with learning function,which is an important platform for entrepreneurial learning; structures and relationships of " learning network" can influence the formation and development of entrepreneurial competence.(2) entrepreneurial learning based on social network can be divided into three main ways——imitation,communication and guiding,and plays a mediating role in the relationship between entrepreneurs'"learning network" and entrepreneurial competence.Finally,this study puts forward some countermeasures and suggestions to enhance entrepreneurs' entrepreneurial competence from the following three aspects——"learning network" governance,learning behavior shaping.
social networkentrepreneurial learningentrepreneurial competence