Empowering Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Conceptual Paper on Exploring the Impact of Government Support on SMEs in Malaysia

  • Zarith Delaila Abd Aziz Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • Nor Azian Abdul Rahman Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • Muhamad Khalil Omar Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • Norashikin Hussein Universiti Teknologi MARA
Keywords: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, SME, Government supports, Selangor.

Abstract

SMEs continue to be a backbone for the development and growth of the economy in countries around the world.  The success of SMEs depends on the effectiveness of EEs. One of the components of EEs that may contribute to the success of SMEs is government support. This paper proposes a conceptualization of the impact of government support (EE component), particularly on financial support and business support for SMEs in Selangor, Malaysia. This conceptual research provides important suggestions for researchers to assess the impact of government support on SME’s business performance and also offers valuable insight for policymakers and other stakeholders to effectively design the initiatives that could enhance the growth and development of SMEs.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Acs, J. Z., Szerb, L. and Autio, E. (2015). The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index. Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14932-5

Al-Baimani, N., Clifton, N., Jones, E. & Pugh, R. (2021). Applying the ecosystem model in a new context? The case of business incubation in Oman. Growth and Change. 52, 663–686. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/grow.12471

Anwar, M. & Li, S. (2021). Spurring competitiveness. Financial and environmental performance of SMEs through government financial and non-financial support. Environment, Development and Sustainability. 23, 7860–7882. https://doi-org.uitm.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00951-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00951-3

Arshad, M., Ahmad, M., Ali, M., Khan, W. and Arshad, M. (2020). The role of government business support services and absorptive capacity on SMES performance. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(3), 1492-1499.

Aslam. R, Rehman. S and Nasir.A (2023). Investigating the relationship between government support and SMEs’ sustainability through financial and green lenses. Journal of Business and Industries, 38(11), 2379-2389 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-05-2022-0191

Buba, M. P., Ramli, A., & Armanurah, M. (2021). Entrepreneurial competencies, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial network, government business support and SMEs performance: The moderating role of the external environment. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 28(4), 586–618.

Cearra, J., Saiz-Santos, M. and Barrutia, J. (2021). An empiric experience implementing a methodology to improve the entrepreneurial support system: creating social value through collaboration and Co-creation. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.728387. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.728387

Chen, H., Amoako, T., Quansah, C. E., Danso, S. A. & Jidda, D. J. (2023). Assessment of the impact of management commitment and supply chain integration on SME’s innovation performance: Moderation role of government support. Heliyon 9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15914

Cohen, S., Fehder, D.C., Hochberg, Y.V., Murray, F., (2019). The design of startup accelerators. Res. Pol. 48(7), 1781–1797. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.04.003

Costa Meloa, I., Queiroz, G. A., Alves Junior, P. N., Botelho de Sousa, T., Yushimito, W. F., & Pereira, J. (2023). Sustainable digital transformation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs): A review on performance. Heliyon. 9(3). e13908 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13908

Cheong, C.W.H, Lee, M.H. and Weissmann, M. A. (2020). Credit access, tax structure and the performance of Malaysian manufacturing SMEs. International Journal of Managerial Finance. 16(4), 433-454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMF-08-2019-0308

Department of Statistics, Malaysia, (2023). Economic Census 2023. Retrieved June 2023, from. https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r¼column/cone&menu_id¼RDRSYVRzK1JFcmh0dm5mV1I4NkFJQT09

Department of Statistics, Malaysia, (2024). Retrieved August 2024, from https://open.dosm.gov.my/publications?page=1&search=SME

Del Sarto, N., Isabelle, D. A., & Di Minin, A. (2020). The role of accelerators in firm survival: An fsQCA analysis of Italian startups. Technovation, 90-91, 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2019.102102

Feng, L. Zhenzhen, Z. & Wang, J. (2022). The impact of knowledge management capabilities on innovation performance from dynamic capabilities perspective: moderating the role of environmental dynamism, Sustainability, 14 (8), 4577, https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084577

Feld, B. (2020). Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City, John Wiley and Sons.

Fitriasari, F. (2020). How do Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) survive the COVID-19 outbreak? Jurnal Inovasi Ekonomi, 5(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.22219/jiko.v5i3.11838

GEM, (2022). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2021/2022: Global Report Opportunity amid Disruption.

Giudici, A., Reinmoeller, P., & Ravasi, D. (2018). Open-system orchestration as a relational source of sensing capabilities: Evidence from a venture association. Academy of Management Journal, 61(4), 1369–1402. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2015.0573

Guerrero, M., Linan, F. and Caceres-carrasco, F.R. (2021). The influence of ecosystems on the entrepreneurship process: a comparison across developed and developing economies. Small Business Economics, 57(4), 1733-1759, doi: 10.1007/s11187-020-00392-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-020-00392-2

Guo, F., Zou, B., Zhang, X., Bo, Q., & Li, K. (2020). Financial slack and firm performance of SMEs in China: Moderating effects of government subsidies and market-supporting institutions. International Journal of Production Economics, 223, 107530. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.107530 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.107530

Hansen, A. (2021). The purposes of performance management systems and processes: a cross-functional typology. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 41(8), 1249-1271. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-04-2021-0245

Hassan, H., Ying, Q., Ahmad, H., & Ilyas, S. (2019). Factors that sustain health and safety management practices in the food industry”. Sustainability, 11(15), 4001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11154001

Harris, J. L. (2021). Bridging the gap between ‘Fin’ and ‘Tech’: The role of accelerator networks in emerging Fintech entrepreneurial ecosystems. Geoforum, 122, 174–182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2021.04.010

Hern´andez-Chea, R., Mahdad, M., Minh, T.T., Hjortsø, C.N., (2021). Moving beyond intermediation: how intermediary organizations shape collaboration dynamics in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Technovation 108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102332

Hussaini, U. and Muhammed, U.D. (2018). The effect of internal control on the performance of commercial banks in Nigeria. International Journal of Management Research and Review, 8(2), 13-32.

Ishtiaq, M., Songling, Y., Hassan, A. and Hayat, A. (2020). The role of financial literacy in resource acquisition and Financial Performance; the moderating role of government support. International Journal of Business and Economics Research, 9(1), 29-39, doi: 10.11648/j.ijber. 20200901.14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20200901.14

Isenberg. D. (2010). The big idea: how to start an entrepreneurial revolution. Harvard Business Review. 88(6), 1-50.

Isenberg, D. (2011). The entrepreneurship ecosystem strategy as a new paradigm for economic policy: principles for cultivating entrepreneurship. Presentation at the Institute of International and European Affairs, 1, 1-13.

Jayeola, O., Sidek, S., Rahman, A.A., Mahomed, A.S.B., Hu, J., (2022). Do small and medium enterprises (SMEs): a systematic literature review and directions for future research. International Journal Business Social Sciences 23(1), 226-243. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.4610.2022

Jeong, H, Shin, K Kim, S and Kim, E. (2021). What Types of Government Support on Food SMEs Improve Innovation Performance? Sustainability. Vol 13, 9461. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169461. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169461

Kadak, T. and Laitinen, E.K. (2021). How different types of performance management systems affect organizational performance, Measuring Business Excellence, International Journal of Innovation Science, 25(3), 315-327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-03-2020-0045

Kamilah, M., & Kassim, S. H. (2021). The impact of government support on the financial performance of SMEs in Malaysia. Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 8(4), 233-242.

Kanayo, K. O., Maria, E. and Ebenezer, O. (2023). Interaction and Main Effects of Finance Support and Other Business Support Services on the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Case Study of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Economies 11: 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/ economies11060157 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/economies11060157

Khan, D.P.T, Thuy, V.T.N and Tram, T.N.B (2023). The effect of innovation on competitive advantage and SMEs performance in Vietnam: the moderating role of customer orientation.

Klerk S.D, Miles, M.P, Bliemel, M. (2024). A life cycle perspective of startup accelerators. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. 20, 327–343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-023-00933-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-023-00933-7

Lee, I. and Shin, Y.J. (2018). Fintech: ecosystem, business models, investment decisions, and challenges. Business Horizons, 61(1), 35-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2017.09.003

Luo, G., Liu, Y., Zhang, L., Xu, X., Guo, Y., (2021). Do governmental subsidies improve the financial performance of China’s new energy power generation enterprises? Energy 227, 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.120432

Lu, C., Qi. Y, Hao, S. and Yu, B. (2023). How and when domestic and international collaboration networks influence innovation performance of SMEs: evidence from China. Business Process Management Journal, 30(2), 435-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/bpmj-05-2023-0336. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-05-2023-0336

Marzi, G., Manesh, M.F., Caputo, A., Pellegrini, M.M., Vla?ci´c, B., (2023). Do or do not. Cognitive configurations affecting open innovation adoption in SMEs. Technovation 119, 102585. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2022.102585

MAGIC (2023), available at https://www.mymagic.my/ (accessed 20 June 2023).

Malecki, E. J., (2018). Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Geography Compass. 12 (3). https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12359 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12359

MEDC (2023), available at: https://www.kuskop.gov.my/ (accessed 20 June 2023).

MRRD (2023), available at https://www.rurallink.gov.my/(accessed 20 June 2023).

Nakku, V. B., Agbola, F. W., Miles, M. P., & Mahmood, A. (2020). The interrelationship between SME government support programs, entrepreneurial orientation, and performance: A developing economy perspective. Journal of Small Business Management, 58(1), 2–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2019.1659671

Nixon, C.L.N. and Valliere, D. (2021). Entrepreneurial logic and fit: a cross-level model of incubator performance. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 27(7), 1696-1723. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-11-2020-0801

Nguyen, T-H, Duy Van, N. and Loc Xuan, T. (2023). Diversification, government support, and firm performance. Cogent Business & Management. 10: 2215072 https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2215072. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2215072

Nguyen, H. V., & Nguyen, P. T. (2021). The impact of government support on SME growth in Vietnam: A quantitative study. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies.

Nor, N.F., Hanafi, A. G. and Saaidun, N.S.N. (2023). Does government support enhance the sustainable competitive performance among SMEs? Empirical study among Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) Perlis. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research. 5(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i03.3823

Otache, I, and Usang, O.U.E (2021). Innovation capability and SME performance in times of economic crisis: does government support moderate? African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 13(1), 76-88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-08-2021-0362

Park, S., Lee, I.H. and Kim, J.E. (2020). Government support and small-and medium-sized enterprise (SME) performance: the moderating effects of diagnostic and support services. Asian Business & Management, 19(2), 213-238. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41291-019-00061-7

Persada, S.F., Baihaqi, I., Awali, I., Saktia, D. and Sutikno, A. (2020). The impact of government support and learning orientation Innovation: an empirical study of SMEs in Surabaya. Aicmbs, 135, 272-277. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.200410.042

Petti, C., Compagnucci, L., & Tang, Y. (2023). Institutions, innovation and performance in Guangdong firms: The role of entrepreneurial orientation and environmental turbulence. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-023-00878-x. Advanced online publication. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-023-00878-x

Pulka, B. M, Ramli, A. and Mohamad, A. (2021). Entrepreneurial competencies, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial network, government business support and SME performance. The moderating role of the external environment. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 28(4), 586-618. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-12-2018-0390

Ratnasingam, J., Khoo, A., Jegathesan, N., Wei, L.C., Abd Latib, H., Thanasegaran, G., Liat, L.C., Yi, L.Y., Othman, K., Amir, M.A. (2020). How are small and medium enterprises in Malaysia’s furniture industry coping with the COVID-19 pandemic? Early evidence from a survey and recommendations for policymakers. BioResources, 15(3), 5951-5964. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.15.3.5951-5964

Roundy, P., Brockman, B.K., and Brandshaw, M. (2017). The resilience of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Journal of Business Venturing Insights. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbvi.2017.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbvi.2017.08.002

SIDEC(2023), available at https://www.sidec.com.my/ (accessed 15 May 2024).

Sahu, C. and Panda, R. (2024). Evaluating the relationship between entrepreneurial ecosystem, resilience and sme performance in the post-pandemic period. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, 13(3), 491-506. https://doi.org/10.1108/jepp-12-2023-0136 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEPP-12-2023-0136

Santos & Brito (2012). Toward a Subjective measurement model for Firm Performance. Brazilian Administration Review. DOI: 10.1590/S1807-76922012000500007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-76922012000500007

Sarto, N. D., Cazares, C. C., & Minin, A. D. (2022). Startup accelerators as an open environment: The impact on startups’ innovative performance. Technovation, 113, Article 102425. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102425

Severo, A., Sbardelotto, B., de Guimarães. and Vasconcelos, C.R.M. (2020). Project management and innovation practices: backgrounds of the sustainable competitive advantage in Southern Brazil enterprises. Production Planning and Control, 31(15), 1276-1290. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2019.1702734

Shami, A.S, Mamun, A.A, Safiah, S. & Nurulizwa, R. (2019). Causes of failure among Malaysian female entrepreneurs: A qualitative case study of Malaysian microcredit borrowers. Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, 12(1), 43-71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/QRFM-12-2018-0142

Shamsuddin, J.B., Management, B., Idrus, S. Al, Islam, U., Maulana, N. and Ibrahim, M. (2020). Relationship of perception and awareness towards utilization of government business support services (Gbss) in Malaysian SMEs perspective. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 23(1), 1-12.

Shi, X. and Shi, Y. (2022). Unpacking the process of resource allocation within an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Research Policy. 51 (9). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2021.104378

Siwiec, D. (2023). Qualitative-environment actions expected by SMEs from V4 countries to improve products. System Safety: Human-Technical Facility- Environment. 5(1), 28-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/czoto-2023-0004

SME Bank (2019). Recognizing The Challenges of SME Financing. Bizpulse: A Monthly Bulletin for Entrepreneurs, Issue 38: March-April 2019.

SME Bank (2020). Challenges To SME Growth. Bizpulse: A Monthly Bulletin for Entrepreneurs, Issue 58: November-December 2020.

SMECorp (2023), available at: https://www.smecorp.gov.my/index.php/en/ (accessed 16 May 2023).

Sohns, F. and Wojcik, D. (2020). The impact of Brexit on London’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: The case of the FinTech industry. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 52(8), 1539-1559. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X20925820

Spigel, B. (2017). The relational organization of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 41(1), 49-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12167

Spigel, B. and Harrison, R. (2018). Toward a process theory of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 12(1), 151-168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1268

Stam, E. and Van de Ven, A. (2021). Entrepreneurial ecosystem elements. Small Business Economics, 56(2), 809-832. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-019-00270-6

Tabas, A. M., Kansheba, J. M. and Theodoraki, C. (2024). Igniting a knowledge renaissance: revolutionizing entrepreneurial ecosystems with transactive memory systems. Journal of Knowledge Management. 28(11), 199-220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-08-2023-0685

Tekic, A. and Kurnosova, E. (2024). Entrepreneurial ecosystem performance in advanced and emerging economies: the role of contextual factors. International Journal of Emerging Markets. 1746-8809. DOI 10.1108/IJOEM-08-2023-1322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-08-2023-1322

Tehseen, S., Johara, F., Halbusi, H.A., Islam, M.A., Fattah, F.A. (2021). Measuring Dimensions of Perceived Business Success Among Malaysian and Bangladeshi SME Owners. Rajagiri Management Journal, ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/RAMJ-05-2021-0045. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/RAMJ-05-2021-0045

Tracey, P., Dalpiaz, E., & Phillips, N. (2018). Fish out of water: Translation, legitimation, and new venture creation. Academy of Management Journal, 61(5), 1627–1666. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2015.0264

Van Rijnsoever, F. J. (2020). Meeting, mating and intermediating: How incubators can overcome weak problems in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Research Policy. 49, 103884. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.103884

Van Weele, M.A., Van Rijnsoever, F. J., Eveleens, C.P., Steinz, H., van Stijn, N., Groen, M., (2018). Start-EU-up! Lessons from international incubation practices to address the challenges faced by Western European start-ups. J. Technol. Transf 43, 1161–1189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-016-9538-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-016-9538-8

Wang, J., Li, W., Haq, S. U., & Shahbaz, P. (2023). Adoption of renewable energy technology on farms for sustainable and efficient production: Exploring the role of entrepreneurial orientation, farmer perception and government policies. Sustainability, 15(7), 1–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075611

Wang, X., Li, Z., Shaikh, R., Ranjha, A.r., Batala, L.K., (2021). Do government subsidies promote financial performance? Fresh evidence from China’s new energy vehicle industry. Sustainable Production and Consumption. 28, 142-153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.03.038

Weerasekara, S. and Bhanugopan, R. (2023). The impact of entrepreneurs’ decision-making style on SMEs’ financial performance. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. 15(5), 861-884. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-03-2021-0099

Yadewani , D. ., Durai Pandi , O. ., Bhaumik, A. ., & Poddar, S. (2023). The Mediating Effect of Government Policy on the Relationship Between Knowledge and Smes’ Performance. Qubahan Academic Journal, 3(4), 30–41. https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v3n4a146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v3n4a146

Yang. M, Jaafar.N, Mamun, A., Salameh. A., and Nawi. N. (2022). Modeling the significance of strategic orientation for competitive advantage and economic sustainability: the use of hybrid sem-neural network analysis. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 11(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-022-00232-5

Yusoff, M. N. H. B., Zainol, F. A., Ismail M., Kasuma J., Darma D. C. (2021) Usage of public financial support services, entrepreneurial orientation and SME performance: the case of Malaysia. Financial Internet Quarterly 17(4), 12-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fiqf-2021-0024

Zaato, S.G., Ismail, M., Uthamaputhran, S., and Owusu-Ansah. W. (2020). The impact of entrepreneurial orientation on SMEs Performance in Ghana: The role of social capital and government support policies. Journal of Management and Entrepreneurship, 22(2), 99-114. https://doi.org/10.9744/jmk.22.2.99-114 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9744/jmk.22.2.99-114

Zulu-Chisanga, S, Chabala, M. & Mandawa-Bray, B. (2020). The differential effects of government support, inter-firm collaboration and firm resources on SME performance in a developing economy. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. 13(2), 175-195. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-07-2019-0105

Published
2024-10-27
How to Cite
Abd Aziz, Z. D., Abdul Rahman, N. A., Omar, M. K., & Hussein, N. (2024). Empowering Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Conceptual Paper on Exploring the Impact of Government Support on SMEs in Malaysia. Information Management and Business Review, 16(3S(I)a), 573-583. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v16i3S(I)a.4151
Section
Research Paper