Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Ratio Working Papers,
The Ratio Institute

No 250: Virtue as Competence in the Entrepreneurial Society

Nils Karlson () and Elina Fergin ()
Additional contact information
Nils Karlson: The Ratio institute, Postal: The Ratio Institute, P.O. Box 5095, SE-102 42 Stockholm, Sweden
Elina Fergin: The Ratio institute, Postal: The Ratio Institute, P.O. Box 5095, SE-102 42 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: This paper analyses the relationship between competence and virtue. We argue that virtues

should be regarded as a kind of competencies, which are essential in an entrepreneurial

society, both for individual development and for the sustainability of such a society. Such

competencies, or virtues, are essential not only for entrepreneurial success, but they may also

be regarded as the informal norms, the rules of fair conduct, necessary to uphold an open

market system. Moreover, to a certain degree virtues are learnt through the practice of

entrepreneurship. Due to their importance, though, this may not be enough. Formal education

should be complemented with situated learning, reflection and dialogue on moral and ethical

issues, particularly in the context of management and entrepreneurial praxis.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; competence; skills; business ethics; education

JEL-codes: D01; I25; I29; L26; M53

22 pages, December 31, 2014

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