Managing talent to compete: Recommendations for enhancing entrepreneurial competences in Spanish SMEs

In an increasingly volatile and competitive environment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must cultivate strong entrepreneurial competences to adapt effectively to ongoing market changes. These competences, grounded in organisational learning, innovation, and customer orientation, are shaped by how firms manage their talent and structure their internal operations. This study proposes an integrated model linking talent management to entrepreneurial competences, identifying cross-functional teams, organisational commitment, and employee professionalism as key mediating factors, while also examining the moderating influence of environmental dynamism. Based on survey data from 1,721 CEOs of Spanish SMEs across major economic sectors, the results show that firms investing in the attraction, development, and retention of talent demonstrate stronger entrepreneurial competences. These effects are further reinforced when collaboration within cross-functional teams and high levels of commitment and professionalism are present—particularly in more stable environments. The findings highlight the strategic value of proactive human capital management, cohesive multidisciplinary teams, and the promotion of commitment and professionalism as essential drivers of innovation and sustained competitiveness in today’s dynamic business context.