How entrepreneurial universities shape perceived scalability for social entrepreneurs: the interplay of competencies and training

Purpose Little is known about how social entrepreneurs (SEs) develop a belief that their ventures can grow. This paper addresses this by examining how training offered by entrepreneurial universities (EUs) influences this belief through self-assessed competencies. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 446 SEs affiliated with 11 EUs in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test a model linking university training to perceived scalability through four self-assessed entrepreneurial competencies: raising finance, market understanding, persuading stakeholders, and building networks. Findings The findings show that university training alone does not increase perceived scalability. Its effect is fully mediated by entrepreneurial competencies. Practical implications EUs should shape training to focus on the core competencies most relevant to scaling. Closing competency gaps ensures that new information translates into the belief of “I can grow.” Originality/value The study introduces perceived scalability as an antecedent of scaling and examines it as a cognitive construct that EUs can influence more directly. It further shows that individual-level ACAP operates through founders' competencies, explaining why similar training produces different effects across SEs.