Factors motivating women's informal micro‐entrepreneurship

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which motivate women's informal micro‐entrepreneurship in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative analysis employed in this paper is based upon empirical findings from field work conducted in the state of Penang on the north‐western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In total, 39 hawkers (petty traders) were interviewed using an interview guide which contained open‐ended questions regarding work‐life history, labor market choices and conditions of work. The paper presents two selected case stories, as well as the general findings across the whole sample.FindingsIn contrast to the view that women's informal micro‐entrepreneurship is motivated only by “involuntary exclusion from the labor market” or “poverty”, this paper has found that women's micro‐entrepreneurship can be motivated by a wide range of factors including: to earn an income; interest in doing business; increased flexibility and autonomy; possibility to combine with family obligations; and re‐negotiating spatial practices. Conclusive with previous studies it also argues that necessity and choice may be “co‐present” in the motives to enter into entrepreneurship.Research limitations/implicationsThe limited sample of this study has implications for the generalizability of results. Further studies into the women's micro‐entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia are therefore encouraged.Social implicationsWomen's micro‐entrepreneurship is increasingly being promoted as a way to create growth and development (particularly through micro‐credit schemes). Increasing knowledge around motivational factors, performance and conditions of work for women informal micro‐entrepreneurs is therefore important when trying to establish appropriate policies.Originality/valueThere are very few studies in the Malaysian context which focus upon women's informal micro‐entrepreneurship in general and hawking in particular. This study therefore presents new knowledge around women's informal micro‐entrepreneurship in Malaysia.

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“…Indeed, interest is the main factor that motivated women to start a business. Meanwhile, according to Franck (2012) factors that motivate women in doing micro-entrepreneurship especially petty trading in Penang are to earn an income, gain interest in doing business, increase flexibility and autonomy. However, they are not interested to grow their business, as self-sufficiency is the aim of their businesses.…”

Psychological Factors of Innovativeness among Nomadic Micro-Entrepreneurs for Achieving Business Growth

“…Penang, like other states in Malaysia, is a multiethnic state with Malays, Chinese, and Indians. However, in comparison with other states, the population of Penang is mostly dominated by the Chinese and Malays both of which have their own in dividual cultural traditions, languages, as well as religious beliefs (Franck 2012). There is also diversification between the ethnic groups regarding the employment pattern and entrepreneurship (Amin, Alam 2008).…”

“…The researcher visited the participants of the interview. The interviews were conducted using openended questions to explore the com ponents of innovativeness of Nomadic MEs because the openended questions enabled the participants to talk freely (Franck 2012).…”

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