Syed Zamberi Ahmad

The Need for Inclusion of Entrepreneurship Education in Malaysia Lower and Higher Learning Institutions.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to focus on relevant issues of entrepreneurship education, such as target groups for the subject. It advocates the need for inclusion of entrepreneurship education as a subject in the curricula of all primary, secondary and tertiary learning institutions in Malaysia and other developing countries.Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyses the current structure of entrepreneurship education at the different educational levels.Findings – Enterprise education should not be equated solely to any specific institutions but throughout all phases of education systems.Practical implications – Entrepreneurship education is reviewed in its totality. This is beneficial to educators and policy‐makers that are involved in setting or facilitating entrepreneurship educational programmes.Originality/value – The paper provides an evaluation of the state‐of‐the‐art of entrepreneurship education in Malaysia. The educational institutions will require much restructuring to enhance skil...

Micro, small and medium‐sized enterprises development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the main problems and constraints faced by micro, small and medium‐sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approach – To attain the above objective, the study employed a mixed methodology research design where both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A survey method was used to gather data from 177 MSMEs located in selected cities in Saudi Arabia (i.e. Riyadh, Jeddah, Jubail and Al‐Khobar), and, in addition, 15 of these entrepreneurs were purposefully selected and interviewed. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify the factors constraining the growth and survival of MSMEs in the country. The relevant literature review pinpoints salient issues in the environment of the small business enterprises.Findings – The results show that the difficulties in obtaining financial support, bureaucracy, lack of credit options and unfriendly business environment are the main problems and constraints faced by t...

Strengthening access to finance for women-owned SMEs in developing countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight key trends, challenges, and opportunities for advancing women’s entrepreneurship and increasing their access to finance. Design/methodology/approach – Due to their high-growth potential, women-owned SMEs in developing countries are of particular interest. The International Financial Corporation and McKinsey built a detailed database for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises. The data derived from the readily available global data sets provide coverage of a large number of countries and national statistics. Findings – Since financing is an important means by which to pursue growth opportunities, addressing the specific needs of women entrepreneurs (WE) in accessing finance must be part of the development agenda. Practical implications – This paper offers valuable practical insights to policy makers to establish a supportive, enabling environment that will facilitate access to financial services for WE in their respective countries; lead efforts to ...

An Empirical Study of Factors Affecting e-Commerce Adoption among Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises in a Developing Country: Evidence from Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine determinants of e-commerce adoption among Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study tested eight hypotheses on determinants affecting e-commerce adoption with empirical data from several survey instruments: an online questionnaire-based survey, mailed survey and questionnaire collected in-person from a sample of 307 SMEs in Malaysia. The findings show that e-commerce adoption within Malaysian SMEs is affected by perceived relative advantage, perceived compatibility, managers/owners knowledge and expertise, management characteristics and external change agents. This study contributes to enhancing the understanding of the determinants of adopting e-commerce in SMEs and provides some interesting perspective from Malaysia. Those parties interested in promoting their business online may find these results helpful in guiding their efforts.

Evaluating student satisfaction of quality at international branch campuses

The aim of this research is to present the determinants of students’ perceptions of quality and experience of study at international branch campuses in Malaysia, a country that is set to become an academic hub in Asia. This study used a multi-method approach for data collection. The respondents comprised 245 students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) from six renowned international branch campuses operating in the country – three from Australia, two from the UK and one from India. In addition, a total of 21 face-to-face interviews were conducted after the survey. The results revealed that across the seven dimensions examined concerning education and non-education qualities – university reputation/image, programme quality, lecturers and teaching quality, student learning environment, effective use of technology, counselling and academic advising support, and social life (direct/indirect) facilities – the students were largely satisfied. The paper adds to the existing body of research on higher education service quality, particularly on students’ perceptions and expectations of international branch campuses.

Businesswomen in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight findings from the dialogue and proceeding research report presented by the Gender and Public Policy Programme partnered with Al‐Sayedah Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Businesswomen Center and Monitor Group at the 2010 Dubai School of Government.Design/methodology/approach – A selected paper on women entrepreneurship activity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was chosen from the proceedings report at the conference for this paper. The programme participants included prominent business leaders and experts from the Gulf region.Findings – The findings presented in this paper clearly illustrate that Saudi female entrepreneurs are generally confident, educated, optimistic about the future and resourceful. However, they face several main challenges such as gender‐specific obstacles in the regulatory environment, limited access to and use of formal capital and financing mechanisms, and the need for increased integration of sophisticated marketing and technology tool...

Motivation factors in students decision to study at international branch campuses in Malaysia

Transnational education is becoming a popular way for students to earn an attractive credential from a foreign university in emerging education hubs in Asia. In an era where students are staying closer to home for their education, this paper offers insights into the motivations or choice criteria used by students currently enrolled at international branch campuses in Malaysia. Findings from a survey of 218 undergraduate and postgraduate students plus semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with 18 students indicated that the motivations for studying at an international branch campus are a function of the combined pull–push factors (i.e. institution and academic reputations, marketability of the degree, low tuition fees compared to home institution, low cost of living, safe country for study, similarity of education systems as well as cultural proximity). The study proposes a model of student destination and institution choices based primarily upon ‘push’ factors which apply to international branch campuses in Malaysia. The success of a given university operating in a foreign market is shown to be influenced greatly by the destinations costs, attractiveness attributes, and locational convenience for students. The findings of the paper are especially relevant to developing market policy-makers of higher education in crafting specific management and marketing strategies targeting students to study at international branch campuses, particularly in Malaysia.

Entrepreneurship in the small and medium-sized hotel sector

The purpose of this study is to gather information about the determinants and characteristics of the owners/managers of small- and medium-sized hotels (SMSHs) and identify various challenges in starting up and operating businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The paper also highlights key actions taken by the owners/managers of SMSHs to manage their business in the competitive business environment. To avoid any bias associated with a specific method, a multi-method research approach has been used for data collection. The results reveal that the majority of the owners/managers of SMSHs in the UAE are male, young and middle-aged with secondary- and higher-education levels, and relatively new to the tourism industry. With the characteristics of self-confidence, perseverance and independence, the motivations for the business ventures of the owners/managers include wanting to be financially independent, become ones own boss, involvement in family business and the opportunities of the hotel business. Among the key business challenges highlighted by the owners/managers of SMSHs are stiff competition in the hotel industry, increased operating costs, reduced demand and lack of skilled employees. Several key strategies have been employed to face these challenges. These include offering competitive pricing, improving the marketing and channels of promotion, enhancing the quality of service and providing superior customer service. At the same time, the owners/managers of SMSHs also felt that the government and policy-makers should play a more proactive role in promoting the tourism sector. This research provides a useful insight into the activities in the hotel tourism business sector and the challenges they encounter while operating in the UAE economy.

Preliminary investigation of Yemeni women entrepreneurs: some challenges for development and barriers to success

This study aims to examine the role of women business owners in Yemen. It establishes the factors that motivate Yemeni women to establish their business venture, opportunities for growth, and discusses challenges and barriers to becoming successful entrepreneurs. Qualitative research approach is adopted via personal in-depth interviews with Yemeni women entrepreneurs in various businesses. Findings from the study reveal that there are several reasons driving Yemeni women to become entrepreneurs, including the desire to be independent, improve the standard of living, source of income to support family, and gaining control over personal life. The study also highlights several problems and barriers to success for these women entrepreneurs. The overall findings from the study suggest that Yemeni women entrepreneurs have strong entrepreneurial competence but lack the ability, and receive no continuous training and support service to develop their entrepreneurial skills to their full potential. Suggestions concerning how women entrepreneurs in Yemen might be encouraged and questions for future research are presented.

Examining entrepreneurial intention through cognitive approach using Malaysia GEM data

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore entrepreneurial intentions among Malaysia adult population through the cognitive approach model. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor nation-wide survey which includes questions about entrepreneurial perceptions of the countrys population. Findings – Three kinds of perceptions are identified: individual perceptions, perceptions about entrepreneurial opportunities and socio-cultural perceptions. Their effect on intentions is tested along with some control variables. Practical implications – The result of this study provides empirically rigorous evidence for understanding the entrepreneurial intention of individuals in Malaysia. Originality/value – This study is very relevant as it attempt to close this gap by not only providing further insights and understanding of the entrepreneurial intention, but also for the more general understanding of the economic development in developing nation.