Disentangling the Significant of Improvisational Behavior on Women Entrepreneurs’ Business Success

Previous research indicates that improvisation as deliberate extemporaneous composition and execution of novel action is an important matter for any business to be successful.The present article seeks to advance the theoretical knowledge on the influence of improvisation behavior on business success, particularly among women entrepreneur by reviewing and synthesizing available research into a conceptual framework that the relationship of the selected variables.Based on the arguments in this article, a proposition was developed to refine our understanding of the relationship between improvisation and business success.Finally, theoretical and practical implication were discussed

Female consumer entrepreneurship in Asia : capabilities for micro-entrepreneurial success and the role of coaching and training

Purpose: The direct selling model adopted in the beauty and cosmetics industry puts female consumer entrepreneurs at the heart of the business model. A neglected phenomenon in female entrepreneurship, this study aims to focus on female sales agents’ capabilities that are linked to sales performance and examine which capabilities might be shaped and enhanced through coaching and training in an emerging economy context. Design/methodology/approach: Survey data were generated from a sample of 249 female sales agents who agreed to participate in a coaching and training programme run by a focal firm. Data were collected in two phases to investigate the capabilities linked to sales performance pre-intervention and the impact of coaching and training on the relationships between the capabilities and sales performance post-intervention. The time-lag data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings: For female sales agents, self-efficacy and sales experience have a significant positive effect on adaptive sales performance both before and after the coaching and training intervention. In contrast, intellectual capital and self-motivation had a non-significant relationship with sales performance before the intervention. However, after the intervention, the relationship between these variables became positive and significant. Originality/value: The study demonstrates the effects of pre- and post-coaching and training on female consumer entrepreneurs’ capabilities and the links to sales performance. These findings add critical empirical knowledge on how female consumer entrepreneurship may be developed and the role of entrepreneurship for female empowerment in the Asian context. Collectively, the findings bring to the fore the female sphere in consumer entrepreneurship research in emerging economies

Antecedent factors, improvisation behavior, government support and women entrepreneurs’ business success in Malaysia

In the 21st century, the increasing number of women venturing into Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) is undeniable and plays an important role in fostering economic growth in an emerging country such as Malaysia. The success of women entrepreneurship in SMEs is significant and attracts the attention of many researchers worldwide due to emerging global competition and life support needed. Numerous previous researches examined the factors influencing women entrepreneurs and business success. Yet, these studies are limited, especially on the link between the antecedent factors, improvisation behaviour, government support, and women's success. Therefore, the purpose of this study is, firstly, to investigate the relationship between the antecedent factors of women entrepreneurs‘ business success, namely entrepreneurs‘ self-efficacy (ESE), motivation, social networking, and access to finance. The second objective is to examine the mediating role of improvisation behaviour on the relationship of antecedent factors and business success; and lastly, to examine the moderating effect of government support on improvisation behaviour and business success relationship. This study uses the quantitative method to produce empirical outcomes and validations to answer the research questions. The Resource-Based View Theory and Contingency Theory are the theoretical foundations that fill the gaps of the study. One thousand women entrepreneurs in Malaysia, who are actively listed in the SME Corp, have been chosen as a sample population through emailed administered questionnaires. However, only 320 surveys were valid for further analysis. This study also utilized the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS- SEM) to establish the validity and reliability of the measurements model and to test each hypothesis. Based on the analysis, the study reveals that ESE, motivation, and social networking have a significant positive influence on women entrepreneurs‘ business success. Surprisingly, access to finance has a non-significant relationship with business success. This study also shows that improvisation behaviour mediates the relationships between antecedent factors (ESE, social networking, and access to finance) and business success, except for the motivation factor. Furthermore, government support moderates the relationship between an entrepreneur‘s improvisation behaviour and business success. The findings of the study contribute to the theories as well as practices on the importance of antecedent factors, improvisation behaviour, and government support in fostering women-owned SMEs‘ business success in Malaysia. Finally, the study discusses some limitations and proposes recommendations for future research