PurposeThis study aims to investigate the constraints that entrepreneurs face in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh and suggests measures to remove the constraints to entrepreneurship development.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 60 entrepreneurs to investigate problems and evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of the government policies and programs as perceived by the entrepreneurs. Secondary data were also used for this purpose.FindingsThe findings indicated that to the extent that the political stability and rule of laws were enforced, infrastructure facilities were improved, and corruptions were rooted out, education and training were imparted, and financial help was provided, new and energetic entrepreneurs, for the development of SMEs, would emerge in the country.Research limitations/implicationsThis study implies that a positive environment through encouragement and positive reinforcement of a stable socio‐political climate for a sound market economy and specialized schools of entrepreneurs will foster a positive climate for the development of SMEs in Bangladesh. The limitations of the study are that it does not concentrate on a particular company type and does not include a region comprising many cities.Originality/valueBuilt on theories and researches on entrepreneurship, this paper captures the essence of identification of the constraints facing entrepreneurs and facilitating the identification of implementable strategies and approaches necessary for the promotion and strengthening of entrepreneurship in Bangladesh, thus constituting an aid to the policy makers, researchers, and businesses for improving the various aspects of entrepreneurship in Bangladesh in particular and in developing countries in general. Further research can be undertaken in this direction.

In order to assess the factors that affect the success of entrepreneurs of small and medium sized enterprises of Bangladesh, survey data were collected from eighty entrepreneurs from the southern region of Bangladesh selected through random sampling technique. Success factors here refer to demographic characteristics and environmental factors that impede the business success of entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized enterprises of Bangladesh. The results indicate that that the success of the entrepreneurs was correlated to all independent variables in the study and all hypotheses were supported. Lack of infrastructure, sound political environment, access to market and capital were the major factors that positively hindered the success of the entrepreneurs. Experience and education were positively correlated while age was negatively correlated to success. The regression models fit for regression equations were determined by F statistics. The models indicate positive and statistically significant relationship. Altogether demographic variables explained 26.9% of the total variance in Business and Economic Research ISSN 2162-4860 2013 www.macrothink.org/ber 39 success while environmental variables explained 39.8% of the total variance in success.

This study explored the effects of motivational factors on women entrepreneurship venturing in Malaysia. The research was conducted on 80 entrepreneurs through random sampling technique. All hypotheses were tested using regression analysis and Pearson correlations, controlling for demographic variables of gender, age, and education, years of experience, and start-up funding. While the results of this study found significant effect of pull motivational factors, there is a marginal effect of push motivational factors on women entrepreneurship venturing in Malaysia. Implications and a number of recommendations are discussed.

The relationship of psychological types of agreeableness and conscientiousness and their interactive effects among students with their academic performance in the course were investigated. On the basis of data from 105 students in an introductory economics course, results indicated that conscientiousness (r = .413), agreeableness (r = .335), and interaction of agreeableness and conscientiousness (r =. 364) were all significantly related to students' performance in the course. Consistently with our expectations, students high in conscientiousness and agreeableness performed better than did those low in conscientiousness and agreeableness. Implications and directions for future research are noted.

The purpose of the study is to examine the factors measuring customers' satisfaction, especially the impact of service quality on customers' satisfaction in public transportation industry in the university town of Sintok located in Kedah province of Malaysia. In order to assess the relationships between service quality and customer satisfaction survey http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2007/articles/1003.htmdata were collected from 300 Bus commuters. All hypotheses were tested using Pearson correlations, controlling for the background variables of gender, marital status, ethnicity and education. The results indicate that hypotheses 1 through 5 were supported. Using multiple regressions as a basis for causal paths, a model was developed that examined the influence of all five dimensions of service quality on customers' satisfaction. The model explained 26.9% of the variance which indicates that 26.9% of the changes in the dependent variable are explained by the independent variables. Altogether, independent variables explained 26.9% of the variations.