DOI: 10.5176/2301-394X_ACE18.207
Authors: Somiah, M.K. Aigbavboa, C. and Thwala, D.W.
Abstract:
This study aimed at determining the entrepreneurial competencies of owners of indigenous construction firms that impact on firms’ competitiveness in the Ghanaian construction industry and, to determine the relative impact of each entrepreneurial competency on firms’ competitiveness in the Ghanaian construction industry. The study adopted a qualitative approach to research using the Delphi technique. Structured questionnaire aided the data collection via e-mail and data was analysed using median, standard deviation, interquartile deviation, percentile and mean. Anonymity of the experts was kept confidential. The study revealed that 19 set of entrepreneurial competencies impact on indigenous construction firms’ competitiveness in the Ghanaian construction industry. Out of the 19 competencies, (5) had very high impact, namely: creative skills, commitment to learning, conceptual thinking skills, influence level in the industry, and skills in financial management; whiles the remaining (14) had high impact on firms’ competitiveness. The study concludes that the entrepreneurial competencies that impact on firms’ competitiveness in the Ghanaian construction industry include analytical thinking abilities, conceptual thinking skills, and problem solving abilities with varied degree of impact. Therefore, the study recommends that owners of indigenous construction firms should, among other things, develop their creative skills, problem solving skills management skills, and be always committed to learning new trends in the industry. The findings of this study will inform indigenous construction firm owners of the entrepreneurial competencies that impact on the competitiveness of their firms; it also forms the basis for future studies into entrepreneurial competencies and firms’ competitiveness.
Keywords: competitiveness; competencies; entrepreneur; construction industry; Ghana.
Updating...