Executing Entrepreneurial Leadership Strategies for the Sustainability of SMEs in Muar, Johor, Malaysia

SMEs have been the backbone of the economy of Malaysia, contributing to Malaysia’s GDP, employment and exports. However, the growth rate of SMEs in Malaysia has declined since 2017 and the failure rates of SMEs were high, and this has affected the economy of Malaysia. One main reason for SMEs’ high failures was due to lack of relevant entrepreneurial leadership strategies for sustainability. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the entrepreneurial leadership strategies for the sustainability of SMEs, specifically to identify the relevant strategies and to examine the relationships between the strategies and the sustainability of SMEs. This study also aims to recommend a strategic framework for the sustainability of SMEs. Vision Framework, Resource-based View, Dynamic Capabilities Theory and Triple Bottom Line Theory were adopted to identify the independent and dependent variables. An extensive review and synthesis of literatures was conducted to develop hypotheses to determine the relationships of the strategies with the sustainability of SMEs. Muar was chosen to be the study area for its significant role in the Local Town Planning Project 2030. A quantitative approach was adopted with a questionnaire method of collecting primary data, using a 5-point Likert Scale. Based on Roscoe’s sample size rule of thumb, a sample size of 100 SMEs in Muar was selected with simple random probability sampling. Frequency and correlation analyses were performed using SPSS to identify the strategies and to determine the relationships between those strategies and the sustainability of SMEs. The findings of the research (Rs:0.439, p-value: <0.001) revealed that entrepreneurial leadership strategies have a significant positive impact on the sustainability of SMEs. Moreover, the findings of these results provided more nuance and detailed perspective to the existing literature and also significant in helping SMEs build their business for long-term survival and success.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

dba

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Kong Yeok Mui, Helen

• HF Masnach

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:2836