Relationship between problem in financial capital, entrepreneurial competencies, social capital, self efficacy and women entrepreneurs' business performance

Currently, the involvement of women in entrepreneurship has become popular subject of academic research. As such, the Malaysian government has set aside a yearly budget for women empowerment as they have vital roles in economic development. Although female entrepreneurship is growing, there are still insufficient studies on the relationship of problem in financial capital, entrepreneurial competencies, social capital, and self-efficacy with the performance of women entrepreneurs. Therefore, this study has focused on the testing of the mediator (social capital) and moderator (self-efficacy) of the aforementioned association in Malaysia. With reference to the literature, four dimensions of entrepreneurial competencies – opportunity, organising and leading, commitment, and personal competencies have been selected. Subsequently, 13 direct and indirect hypotheses have been developed. The respondents were women micro-entrepreneurs under the highest scheme of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) – Ikhtiar Wawasan – in Peninsular Malaysia. The tools which have been used to measure the said variables were adopted from the scales in the literature. A total of 230 questionnaires have been returned by mail, but only 184 questionnaires were eligible for multiple regression analysis. The findings from an empirical research revealed that problem in financial capital, organising and leading competency, and self-efficacy have significant direct effect on women microentrepreneurs’ business performance. Besides, social capital has fully mediated the relationship between problem in financial capital and women entrepreneurs’ business performance. Conversely, self-efficacy did not moderate the relationship between the dimensions of entrepreneurial competencies and women entrepreneurs’ business performance. The utilisation of general self-efficacy has contributed to the significance of this study. Apart from that, the findings are useful to financial institutions, academics and women micro-entrepreneurs’ in the contexts of financial management of entrepreneurship domain, entrepreneurial management and entrepreneurs’ personality

The Relationship Between Poverty Elimination and Asnaf Entrepreneurial Scheme

This study investigates the relationship between poverty elimination and asnaf entrepreneurial scheme. It attempts to examine the economic role of zakah through asnaf entrepreneurial scheme to reduce income inequalities or poverty. A research model was developed based on previous study and observation. The target population of this study is the participants of asnaf entrepreneurial scheme in Kedah. A structured questionnaire was constructed to collect necessary data to answer the research questions. The problem in conducting this study was the limited resources from the previous study. The other problem is the number of participant in asnaf entrepreneurship scheme is quite small and it is difficult to reach them as they reside in different district. The objectives of this study are to examine the relationship on how asnaf entrepreneurial scheme towards poverty elimination. This study used the quantitative method involving 60 participants of asnaf entrepreneurial scheme conducted by Jabatan Zakat Negeri Kedah. The study revealed that the three approaches (Poverty Elimination, Asnaf's Quality of Life and Human Capital) did not truly have a positive relationship with asnaf entrepreneurial scheme. The study found that asnaf entrepreneurial scheme reduces poverty. However, the analyses revealed that asnaf entrepreneurial scheme did not really help asnaf's quality of life and their personal awareness (human capital)

Microfinance and women entrepreneurs’ business performance: the mediating role of social capital

These days, women are believed as changing the global economy as entrepreneurs, consumers and workers. More women have been involved in entrepreneurship and play vital role as part of economic growth.Women entrepreneurs are look forward to give strong contribution to boost economic growth by reducing poverty, drive Malaysia towards the goal of becoming a high income, sustainable and inclusive economy by 2020.The Malaysian Government has allocated RM 200 million in 2016’s Budget for micro-financing facility by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) to increase women participation in entrepreneurship and expand their existing business.Most literatures claim microfinance and social capital seem cannot be separated and play important role in the entrepreneurial process and crucial for the business performance.Thus, the mediator role of social capital is studied in this paper.190 respondents under the umbrella of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) were involved in the questionnaire-based survey.Consequently, this study expected to contribute empirical evidence on the relationship between microfinance on women entrepreneurs’ business performance and the mediating role of social capital in the relationship

The Importance of ICT Adoption in Manufacturing Sector: An Empirical Evidence on SME Business Performance

Information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption is considered as one of the intangible resources of the organization and needs to be carefully managed to maintain the firm's growth in business performance. Specifically, the objective of this study is to determine the relationship between the ICT adoption and SMEs business performance. According to Resource-based View Theory, technology resources are fundamental drivers to performance. A sample of 155 SMEs data successfully collected through survey. Data collected was analysed using Regression Analysis. The findings revealed that ICT adoption had significant correlation and relationship with business performance of SMEs. The study also suggested that the adoption of ICT is a major factor affecting the SMEs business performance as reported by SME Corporation Malaysia

Determinant factors of women entrepreneurs' business performance: a conceptual framework

The inconsistent finding on the performance of women entrepreneurs is one of the gaps intended to be fill in by this paper.Previous studies found that men performance is greater than women and the majority of their business remains small and marginal.Literatures also indicate women owned business performed slightly better than men while others do not find gender based differentials in entrepreneurial performance.Indeed, controversy has arisen that women’s business have a higher rate of failure or lower performance compare to men’s business Thus, it is researcher’s concern to study the key factors contributing to the business performance of women entrepreneurs. In this regard, micro finance as financial capital and entrepreneurial competencies were the main variables with social capital and self-efficacy were taken into consideration in the proposed framework as the mediator and moderator. Theories from management and psychology also were discussed in this paper

Influence Factors on Job Satisfaction among Malaysia Educator: A Study of UUM Academic Staffs

Abstract Over the past several years, considerable attention has been given to role conflict, role clarity, job tension, and job satisfaction as four very important determinants of the performance of individuals and their impact on the operational effectiveness of the organization. Without neglecting the concept of communication in the organization, this study emphasized the empathy variable as a new dimension in examining its effect within the traditional framework of role conflict, role clarity, job tension, and job satisfaction. There is limited research found on the educational fields, thus this research attempt to see the contribution of empathy among academic staff in educational sector. This paper aims to investigate the antecedents of job satisfaction among academic staff in Malaysia. Using primary data collection method, a total of 100 academic staffs at Universiti Utara Malaysia were surveyed with a questionnaire. From the literature, four antecedents of job satisfaction are identified. Each variable is measured using 5-point interval scale: job tension (9 items), role conflict (8 items), role clarity (5 items), and empathy (6 items) and job satisfaction (9 items). The data were analyzed using Structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 16. Confirmatory factor analysis of measurement models indicate adequate goodness of fit at GFI=0.906, P-Value=0.075, RMSEA=0.054 and ratio (cmin/df) = 1.287. the finding supports one significant direct effect in the revised model, thus supporting the hypothesis of empathy is negatively related to job satisfaction (β = -5.475, cr = -2.442, p < 0.001)

Changing Entrepreneurial Leadership Knowledge Competency in Higher Education: A Way to Move Forward

University Leaders should have the entrepreneurial capacity to strengthen the Malaysia higher education sector. The role of higher education in economically improving Malaysia is undeniable. One of the functions of higher education is to build graduate entrepreneurs capable of creating jobs. Therefore, those talents should be led by leaders who have an entrepreneurial mindset. Unfortunately, less effective informal entrepreneurship education that relates to entrepreneurial leadership has been executed to inculcate the knowledge and skills of entrepreneurial leadership. Hence previous research that indicated the effective entrepreneurial leadership training which regards to entrepreneurship body of knowledge is scarce. Therefore, this study will also disclose the findings that relate to effective entrepreneurial leadership training that can change the knowledge of university leaders and fill in the gaps in the entrepreneurship body of knowledge. This study employs a Quantitative method that utilizes the Kirkpatrick Training Effectiveness Analysis Model. The descriptive and mean score analysis is used to indicate the changes in entrepreneurial leadership knowledge. It is found that the awareness of entrepreneurial leadership has increased, and they believe that entrepreneurship skills and behaviors can be carried out accordingly. Future research should enhance this study by utilizing Kirkpatrick Training Effectiveness Analysis Level Three