Title: Women's entrepreneurs' micro and small business performance: insights from Malaysian microcredit

Authors: Sayed Samer Ali Al-shami; Mohd Razali Muhamad; Izaidin Majid; Nurulizwa Rashid

Addresses: Centre for Research and Innovation Development, Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia; Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Sanaa University, Yemen ' Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia ' Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia ' Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia

Abstract: In this paper, we aim to provide a clear understanding about the factors that are associated with the success of women's micro and small enterprises who received microcredit for start-up new businesses for three years. An exploratory qualitative study from a constructivist grounded theory perspective was used, while a sample of 16 women was conducted in-depth unstructured interviews. We found that women who have a high level of future orientation, authority in decision making, group management skills, network resources and business knowledge are more likely to meet a high performing business in innovation and job creation for outsiders' family members. This study provides insights into women's entrepreneurship and small business development in the developing countries.

Keywords: women; micro; small; business performance; microcredit; Malaysia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2019.103433

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2019 Vol.38 No.3, pp.312 - 338

Received: 25 Jul 2017
Accepted: 24 Oct 2017
Published online: 06 Nov 2019 *

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