Identifying entrepreneurial competencies focusing on entrepreneurs with physical and mobility disabilities

Many people with disabilities choose entrepreneurship to achieve a better balance between work and life. However, people with disabilities face multiple challenges to become an entrepreneur. One of the challenges that have been constantly suggested in the literature is the lack of entrepreneurial comeptencies and proper entreprneuship education and training. Accordingly, the main purpose of this research is to identify the required entrepreneurial competencies for disabled people. To do so, this study used the qualitative method of inquiry and semi-structured interviews with 12 entrepreneurs with physical and mobility disabilities and educational managers in the education and rehabilitation centers for disabled people in Tehran. The sample was selected purposively. This study revealed 38 components of entrepreneurial competencies of disabled entrepreneurs and classified them into 8 categories. These competencies include entreprneurial opportunity competencies as well as communicational, conceptual, organizational, strategic, personal, manament and business commitment competencies. We contributed personal competencies and business management competencies to the research framework. The results of this study enhance the knowledge and insights on disabled people entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the findings assist policy makers and educators in providing a more supportive and encouraging environment for diabled entreprneurship development.