Entrepreneurial orientation and personal values of Malay entrepreneurs

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 The Research Problem

1.3 Research Question

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1.5 Scope of the Study

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.6.1 Theory

1.6.2 Practical

1.6.3 Methodology

1.7 Definition of Key Terms

1.8 Organization of the Thesis

2. Literature Review

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Organizational Behavior and SMEs

2.2 Entrepreneurial Orientation

2.2.1 Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Orientation

2.2.2 EO Dimensions

2.3 Personal Values

2.3.1 The Definition and Nature of Personal Values

2.3.2 The Dimensions of Personal Values

2.3.2.1 IND-COL Values Dimensions

2.3.2.2 Religious Values

2.3.2.2.1 Courage: Spirit of Daring

2.3.2.2.2 Hard Work

2.3.2.2.3 Loyalty

2.3.2.2.4 Discipline

2.3.2.2.5 Honor

2.3.2.3 Meta Data Analysis to Determine Gaps in Value Construct

2.4 Motivation

2.4.1 Definitions and the Nature of Motivation

2.4.2 Internal Motivation

2.4.2.1 Self-efficacy as Internal Motivational Factor

2.5 Business Environment

2.6 The Relationships between Personal Values, Internal Motivation, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Business Environment and Business Performance

2.6.1 Personal Values and Motivation

2.6.2 Personal Values and Entrepreneurial Orientation

2.6.4 Studies on the Relationship between Malay Values and Entrepreneurial Orientation

2.6.5 Internal Motivation, Business Environment and Entrepreneurial Orientation

2.7 The Research Framework

2.8 The Underpinning Theories

2.8.1 Self-efficacy Theory

2.8.2 Theory of Human Values

2.8.3 How would These Two Theories (Theory of Human Value and Self Efficacy Theory) Explain the Whole Framework?

2.9 Research Hypotheses

2.10 Summary

3. Research Methodology

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research Design

3.1.1 Sampling Frame and Population

3.1.2 Sample Size and Unit of Analysis

3.1.3 Sampling Technique

3.1.4 Distribution of Questionnaire

3.2 Data Collection

3.2.1 Data Collection Procedures

3.3 The Conceptualization of Variables

3.3.1 Personal Values

3.3.2 Internal Motivation

3.3.3 Entrepreneurial Orientation

3.3.4 Business Environment Dimensions

3.4 Questionnaire Design and Operationalization of Variables

3.4.1 Personal Values Measurement

3.4.2 Internal Motivation

3.4.3 Entrepreneurial Orientation Measurement

3.4.4 Business Environment Dimensions

3.5 Pilot Study

3.5.1 The Results of Pilot Test and Analysis of Rasch Model

3.5.1.1 First Step: Examining the Consistency in Response Category

3.5.1.1.1 Threshold

3.5.1.1.2 Response Category Curve

3.5.1.2 Second Step: Preliminary Rasch Analysis

3.5.1.3 Third Step: Fit Statistics

3.5.2 The Discussion for the Pilot Study

3.6 Technique of Data Analysis

3.7 Summary

4. Results and Analysis

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Profile of the Respondents

4.2.1 Control Variables

4.3 First Stage of Analysis

4.3.1 Data Screening Using WinStep Rasch Program (4 Steps)

4.3.1.1 Consistency of Category Responses

4.3.1.1.1 Threshold

4.3.1.1.2 Response Category Curve

4.3.1.2 Individual Item Fit

4.3.1.3 Person Misfit/Outliers

4.3.1.4 Unidimensionality

4.3.2 Data Screening for Data File Using SPSS

4.3.2.1 Normality and Homoscedasticity of the Items

4.3.2.2 Homogeneity of Variance

4.3.2.3 Multivariate Outliers

4.3.2.4 Test of Autocorrelation for All Variables

4.3.2.5 Test of Multicollinearity

4.3.3 Factor Analysis Using SPSS

4.4 Second Stage of Analysis

4.4.1 Hypotheses Testing

4.4.1.1 The First Hypothesis (H1): Malay Owner Managers are Different in Terms of Personal Values They Hold

4.4.1.2 The Second Hypothesis (H2): The Personal Values of Malay Owner Managers are Significantly Related to Entrepreneurial Orientations

4.4.1.3 The Third Hypothesis (H3): The Values Held by Malay Owner Managers are Significantly Related to Internal Motivation of Self-efficacy

4.4.1.4 The Fourth Hypothesis (H4): Self-efficacy Motivation is Significantly Related to Entrepreneurial Orientations

4.4.1.5 The Fifth Hypothesis (H5): Self-efficacy Motivation Mediates the Relationship between Personal Values and Entrepreneurial Orientations

4.4.1.6 The Sixth Hypothesis (H6): Business Environment Moderates the Relationship between Self-efficacy and Entrepreneurial Orientations

4.4.2 Summary

5. Discussion and Conclusion

5.0 Introduction

5.1 The Values of Malay Owner Managers: The Common Values and Relative Values that Matter the Most

5.2 The Personal Values and Entrepreneurial Orientations

5.3 Personal Values and Internal Motivation of Self-efficacy

5.4 Self-efficacy and Entrepreneurial Orientations

5.5 Self-efficacy Mediates the Relationship between Personal Values and Entrepreneurial Orientations

5.6 The Moderating Role of Business Environment on the Relationship between Self-efficacy and Entrepreneurial Orientations

5.7 Implication

5.7.1 Theoretical Implication

5.7.1.1 Additional Dimension of Personal Values

5.7.1.2 An Extension to the Theory of Human Values

5.7.1.3 The Role of Environment as Supressor to Entrepreneurial Orientations, Not a Moderator

5.7.1.4 The Discovery of Personal Values of Malay Owner Managers

5.7.2 Practical Implication

5.7.2.1 To the Policy Makers

5.7.2.2 To the Learning Institution

5.7.2.3 To the Organization/Industry

5.7.3 Methodological Implication

5.8 Limitations of the Study and Future Research

5.9 Conclusion

Research Goals and Key Topics

This study aims to investigate the complex interrelationships between personal values, internal motivation (self-efficacy), and entrepreneurial orientation among Malay SME owner-managers in the manufacturing sector. By applying both organizational behavior theories and rigorous psychometric methods like the Rasch Model, the research seeks to fill existing knowledge gaps regarding the drivers of entrepreneurial success and failure, and to understand how these psychological factors, moderated or mediated by environmental contexts, ultimately shape the entrepreneurial behaviors of Malay owner-managers.

• Personal values of Malay owner-managers (including religious and cultural value dimensions).
• Internal motivation and the role of self-efficacy in driving entrepreneurial behaviors.
• The influence of business environment (munificence/hostility) on entrepreneurial orientation.
• The mediating and moderating effects of internal motivation and business environment on entrepreneurial orientation.
• Development of a comprehensive, integrative entrepreneurship model specifically for small-scale Malay enterprises.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter provides the foundation for the research by presenting the background of the study, the research problem, and the objectives and significance of the study, as well as defining key terms and the scope of the thesis.

2. Literature Review: This chapter reviews existing academic literature regarding organizational behavior, entrepreneurial orientation, personal values, internal motivation, and the business environment, ultimately forming the theoretical framework for the study and deriving research hypotheses.

3. Research Methodology: This chapter details the research design, sampling methods, data collection procedures, and the specific psychometric instrumentation and analysis techniques, including the use of the Rasch Model, to test the study’s constructs and research hypotheses.

4. Results and Analysis: This chapter presents the empirical findings obtained through data analysis, covering respondent profiles, data screening (using Rasch Model and SPSS), and the results of hypothesis testing.

5. Discussion and Conclusion: This chapter discusses the research findings in relation to past literature, addresses the research questions, outlines theoretical and practical implications, and provides suggestions for future research.

Keywords

Entrepreneurial Orientation, Personal Values, Self-Efficacy, Malay SME Owner-Managers, Internal Motivation, Business Environment, Rasch Model, Organizational Behavior, Religious Values, Bushido, Individualism, Collectivism, Small and Medium Enterprises, Malaysia, Entrepreneurial Competence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental focus of this study?

The study fundamentally focuses on identifying and understanding the drivers of entrepreneurial orientation among Malay owner-managers of small-scale manufacturing enterprises in Malaysia, specifically examining how their personal values and internal motivation influence their business decisions.

What are the central thematic fields?

The central themes are entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, psychology (specifically personal values and self-efficacy), and business management in the context of the Malaysian SME manufacturing sector.

What is the primary objective or research question?

The primary objective is to investigate the interrelationships between the personal values of Malay owner-managers, their level of self-efficacy (internal motivation), and their entrepreneurial orientation, while assessing the potential moderating influence of the business environment.

Which scientific method is applied?

The study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design. It utilizes the Rasch Measurement Model for rigorous psychometric validation of instruments, alongside SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, including hierarchical stepwise regression and One Way ANOVA.

What topics are covered in the main body?

The main body covers the literature on entrepreneurial orientation and its determinants, the theoretical development of personal values (including individualism-collectivism and religious values like Bushido/Muru’ah), the role of internal motivation (self-efficacy), and the impact of the business environment.

Which keywords best characterize the work?

The work is best characterized by keywords such as Entrepreneurial Orientation, Personal Values, Self-Efficacy, Malay SME Owner-Managers, and Rasch Model, reflecting its focus on psychological drivers within the Malaysian business context.

How does this study address the specific context of Malay owner-managers?

The study specifically integrates Islamic and cultural values (such as honesty, loyalty, hard work, and discipline) into its model, addressing prior research gaps regarding why some Malay entrepreneurs are highly successful while others are perceived to be less motivated or entrepreneurial.

What is the role of the business environment in this research?

While the study hypothesized that the business environment would moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation, the findings revealed that it acts more as a suppressor variable, suggesting that the personal belief systems of these owner-managers are highly resilient and influence their behavior regardless of external environmental conditions.