Fenika Wulani, Tuty Lindawati, Antonius Jan Wellyan Toni Putro, Ani Suhartatik
This study investigated the competencies of business owners that distinguish the effectiveness of SMEs in Indonesia. We conducted in depth interviews with 10 successful SME owners and 10 static SME owners in Surabaya, the second-largest city in Indonesia. We obtained data of SME owners from The Department of Cooperatives and SME in Surabaya and used structured interviews that include questions about the ability of the business owners in their role as leaders and managers. This study found that there are 48 competency items of successful SME owners. Out of these 48 items, there are 27 items of competency associated with successful SME owners, but not the owners of static SMEs.