From Podium to Pitch: Transferring Competencies from Individual Elite Sports to Entrepreneurship

Abstract

This thesis examines how competencies gained from individual elite sports are dynamically enacted, adapted, and integrated into entrepreneurial activities. Although existing literature recognises that elite athletes develop transferable competencies, there is still limited understanding of how these competencies are reinterpreted and applied in entrepreneurial settings. Grounded in Human Capital Theory (HCT) and informed by its contemporary critiques, this study adopts an abductive, exploratory qualitative research design. Semi structured interviews were conducted with five former individual elite athletes who have transitioned into entrepreneurship. Thematic analysis revealed six key themes: discipline, resilience, self-leadership, adaptability, drive, and influence of the social environment. The findings suggest that these competencies were not simply transferred; instead, they were reflexively adapted through personal experiences, social interactions, and contextual interpretations. This research challenges the traditional perspective of static human capital, promoting a relational, experiential, and practice-oriented approach to competence development and transfer. Additionally, it expands the HCT framework by including affective, embodied, and socially embedded aspects of learning. The study presents both theoretical and practical contributions, suggesting a dynamic model for competence transfer while highlighting the entrepreneurial capabilities arising from individual elite sports experiences. It also highlights implications for athlete transition programs, entrepreneurship education, and a more nuanced understanding of informal and experiential human capital development.