CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS: A STUDY OF MALAYSIAN SMES ENTREPRENEURS

Abstract

The entrepreneurship ecosystem is a collaborative network that involves dynamic interaction systems and subsystems that support and sustain entrepreneurial activity within a specific region or environment. It is important to understand the roles of ecosystems influencing entrepreneurial activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the entrepreneurship ecosystems among Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and proposing a conceptual model. This study employed self-administered questionnaire distributed to Malaysian SMEs entrepreneurs to gain a general perception of entrepreneurship ecosystem. The finding indicates three (3) elements of ecosystem significantly influencing entrepreneurial activity that includes training and education, culture and human capital. As such it is reflected the importance to reinforce the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems as supporting elements of entrepreneurship activity. However, two (2) elements namely as funding and government support are non-significant. The findings provided a valuable input for researchers, practitioners, higher education of institution and related governments agencies to develop plan of action or identify suitable program for entrepreneurship development.