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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 11, No. 1

Publication Date: January 25, 2024

DOI:10.14738/assrj.111.16299.

Moin, S., Idris, M. M., & Bakar, S. A. (2024). Entrepreneurial Competencies, Business Coaching and Business Success among Women

Micro-entrepreneurs. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(1). 280-292.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Entrepreneurial Competencies, Business Coaching and Business

Success among Women Micro-entrepreneurs

Shahrunnizan Moin

Faculty of Business & Management, Universiti

Teknologi MARA (UITM), 40450, Shah Alam, Malaysia

Mohd Mahfudz Idris

Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School,

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UITM), Malaysia

Saridan Abu Bakar

Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School,

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UITM), Malaysia

ABSTRACT

The critical contribution of women micro-entrepreneurs to the growth and

development of micro-businesses worldwide, particularly in Malaysia, cannot be

overstated. These women generate income and employment opportunities, critical

to economic progress. However, to ensure their continued success, it is essential to

identifythe key factors that contribute to this achievement. Additionally, the role of

women micro-entrepreneurs has evolved, and they now require additional

competencies beyond their traditional skill set to meet the challenges of the

business world. Therefore, business coaching is an indispensable tool for enhancing

these competencies, directly influencing their business success. For this study, we

employed quantitative research methods to test sixteen hypotheses related to

entrepreneurial competencies and the perceived usefulness of business coaching in

influencing the business success of women micro-entrepreneurs. The data was

collected through a self- administered questionnaire completed by 261 women

micro-entrepreneurs who participated in business coachingsessions. We used a

cluster sampling technique to select the samples. Our findings showed that women

micro- entrepreneurs typically start businesses between the ages of thirty-one and

forty to achieve work-life balance andsupport their families. Many have children

aged five to twelve and limited education, making entrepreneurship more

appealing than traditional employment. Over half of the women micro- entrepreneurs had launched a business before and faced challenges sustaining

their ventures. Moreover, our study demonstrated that commitment, conceptual,

opportunity, and relationship competencies significantly influenced the business

successof women micro-entrepreneurs, making them critical predictors of their

success. This study also found that the perceived usefulness of business coaching

plays a moderating role in the relationships of strategic, commitment, conceptual,

and relationship competencies toward the business success of women micro- entrepreneurs. Therefore, strategic, commitment, conceptual, opportunity, and

relationship competencies, along with the perceived usefulness of business

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Moin, S., Idris, M. M., & Bakar, S. A. (2024). Entrepreneurial Competencies, Business Coaching and Business Success among Women Micro- entrepreneurs. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(1). 280-292.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.111.16299

coaching, are critical to the business success of women micro-entrepreneurs in

Malaysia.

Keywords: Women micro-entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurial competencies, Business

coaching, Business success.

INTRODUCTION

It is remarkable to acknowledge that women comprise approximately half of the world's

population, and their social status holds significant sway over their respective countries. In

recent years, women have increasingly entered the entrepreneurial world, firmly establishing

themselves as crucial players in the global business industry. As a result, they have created jobs,

generated income, and made noteworthy contributions to their countries [1]. The number of

women engaging in entrepreneurship and business ownership surpassed 231 million in 2019,

substantially increasing from the previous figure recorded in 2016 [2], [3]. This rise in women

entrepreneurs underscores their growing importance in the global economy, with many

gravitating towards smaller business ventures [4]. In developing nations, women micro- entrepreneurs represent the most significant percentage [5]. For example, in Malaysia, women

own approximately 187,265 micro-enterprises, which accounts for about 20.3% of all businesses

and has an annual growth rate of 8%. However, women micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia face

significant challenges due to the country's growing involvementin the global economy, and their

success is pivotal for the country's overall economic growth. Therefore, ensuring better

representation through business success is essential rather than merely increasing the number

of women micro-entrepreneurs [6].

Despite the increase in the number of women micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia, there are gaps

in business success that must be addressed [7], [8]. This study aims to investigate the

correlation between entrepreneurial competencies and the business success of women micro- entrepreneurs in Malaysia in a comprehensive manner. Furthermore, the study will evaluate

how the perceived usefulness of business coaching plays a significant role inthe relationship

between entrepreneurial competencies and business success. By analyzing these variables in- depth, we can gain valuable insights into how internal (entrepreneurial competencies) and

external (business coaching) factors influence the business success of women micro- entrepreneurs.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Entrepreneurial Competencies and Business Success

Entrepreneurial competencies play a crucial role in determining business success, as

demonstrated by the extensive research on this topic. Zainol et al. [9] have established a strong

correlation between these competenciesand the success of a business venture. However, some

studies, such as those by Suhaimi et al. [10] and Baharudinet al. [11] have presented conflicting

findings regarding the significance of entrepreneurial competencies in achieving business

success. Essentially, entrepreneurial competencies are inherent traits and skills that can be

acquired through work experience [12]. Lazer and Paul [13] have defined them as underlying

characteristics that enable individuals to perform tasks effectively. Different domains of

entrepreneurial competencies have been identified, depending onthe context and purpose of

measurement.

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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 11, Issue 1, January-2024

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Ahmad et al. [14] has identified eight competency domains that are most relevant and context- specific among Malaysian entrepreneurs, including strategic, commitment, conceptual,

opportunity, organizing and leading, relationship, personal, and technical competencies. These

domains have been applied in various studies and directly or indirectly influence business

success. Therefore, this study has adopted the categorization of entrepreneurial competencies

developed by Man [15], extended with works drawn from the proposal by Ahmad et al. [14],

and Mitchelmore and Rowley [16], given their completeness by the inclusion of most of the

domains of competency suggested by other researchers.

The influence of various domains of entrepreneurial competencies on the business success of

women micro- entrepreneurs was thoroughly researched. The study was focused on testing

specific hypotheses, and the results provide essential insights into the crucial role of each

domain of entrepreneurial competencies in achieving business success.

➢ H1: Strategic competency is significantly and positively related to business success