Entrepreneurial Competencies and the Factors Determining the Success of an Entrepreneurs in the Market

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to identify the key range of entrepreneurial competencies. The article seeks to answer the question: What factors have a significant impact on the success of entrepreneurs in the market? Is it necessary to have adequate predispositions? Which abilities does an entrepreneur need to possess to run a successful business? What is more, are these innate features? Or quite the contrary, features and entrepreneurial abilities, shaped and strengthened through various educational programmes? Design/Methodology/Approach: The data collection process consisted of two steps. First of all, desk research and the review of the Internet sources were applied. Secondly, there were conducted national qualitative research: 10 in-depth expert interviews. The recipients of the study are: scientists, business psychologists, certified business coaches, experts with several years of experience in advising small and medium-sized enterprises and business environment institutions in the field of business incubation and innovation. The qualitative study took part recognized experts from various universities and institutions in Poland: University of Warsaw, Poznan University of Economics and Business, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Polish Business and Innovation Centers Association, University Technology Transfer Center at University of Warsaw. Findings: The results indicate, that in the opinion of the experts studied, the entrepreneur's success in the market is determined by a synergic combination of: (1) innate entrepreneurial aptitude, (2) sociological conditions, and (3) educational programmes (including training and courses). The lack of any component, in their views, limits the individual potential of an entrepreneur. Originality/Value: The paper provides the knowledge in the range of the key entrepreneurial competencies that enable to set up, survival and development of a business ventures. The paper might be valuable to scholars who wish to understand the key range of entrepreneurial competencies.