The formation factors of human capital and competitiveness of Malaysian women entrepreneurs: An empirical study of indigenous women entrepreneurs in Melaka

In field of entrepreneurship women generally seem to have less potential to succeed compared to men. Thus, the role of government is to develop women entrepreneurs’ potential especially in developing their human capital and competitiveness. In Malaysia despite the efforts taken the result has not been very encouraging . This study analysed the factors influencing human capital development and competitiveness among indigenous (Bumiputera) women registered with MARA in the state of Melaka. Primary data were collected from structured interviews of eight key informants and the returns of 284 questionnaires, and processed with the SPSS software version 22. The factor analysis found that four factors influenced the entrepreneurs’ human capital development, namely, education and training, business experience, social support and creativity, while three factors contributed to the fostering of entrepreneurial competitiveness, namely, social support, business commitment and facilities and infrastructure. The multiple regression test results showed that the dominant success factors were infrastructure and facilities followed by education and training, business experience, social support and creativity.