Title: The antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurial orientation in Malay family firms in Malaysia

Authors: Fakhrul Anwar Zainol

Addresses: Faculty of Business Management and Accountancy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Campus, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract: This research examines the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of the indigenous or Bumiputera entrepreneurs (Malay firms) in Malaysia by taking personality traits, cultural background and government aided programmes as the antecedents. These constructs are used to explain the influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and its' consequences towards firm performance. Based on the multiples linear regression (MLR) analysis, it can be concluded that in Malay firms, the relationship between personality traits, cultural background and government aided programmes with firm performance were not mediated by entrepreneurial orientation (EO). However, the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) construct is significant as predictor towards firm performance. The research provides a better understanding of the indigenous entrepreneurs for policy makers, NGOs, business support organisations and the indigenous entrepreneurs themselves, particularly in relation to personality traits, cultural background and government aided programmes.

Keywords: entrepreneurial orientation; personality traits; cultural background; government aided programmes; firm performance; family firms; indigenous entrepreneurship; multiple linear regression; Malaysia; Bumiputera entrepreneurs; Malay firms; policy makers; NGOs; non-governmental organisations; business support; indigenous entrepreneurs; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; family issues; families; gender issues.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2013.050755

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2013 Vol.18 No.1, pp.103 - 123

Published online: 30 Sep 2013 *

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