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
Full text files
ka_fe_virtue_competence.pdf
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