The Influence of Background Factors on Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation among Muslim Bumiputera Youth Entrepreneurs

This study was conducted to examine levels of entrepreneurial attitude orientation based on the demographic factors of business experience, the level of formal education, and the frequency of attending entrepreneurial training among Muslim Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs. It was measured by five sub-scale attitudes, namely Muslim ethics, the need for achievement, personal control, self-esteem, and innovation. The study used a mixed methods research approach of Explanatory Design and 199 questionnaires were distributed to respondents. The respondents were Muslim Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs who had previously received Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) financial assistance in the districts of Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat, and Pontian. Based on quantitative analysis findings, a set of interview questions were drafted and posed to respondents, who were selected by purposive sampling. Descriptive analysis and MANOVA analysis was then used to test the questionnaire for quantitative data, while content analysis was applied to the qualitative interviews. The results showed that there were significant differences in entrepreneurial attitude orientation among the Muslim Bumiputera respondents. These were based on factors including their level of formal education and how often they attended entrepreneurial training. However, there were no significant differences resulting from their business experience. Meanwhile, a separate analysis of the five sub-scales named above, showed that the level of formal education was only significant in two sub-scales (self-esteem and personal control), while the frequency of attending entrepreneurial training was only significant in one sub-scale (Muslim ethics). The other three sub-scales showed a low percentage change. Hence, this study concluded that levels of formal education and the frequency of attending entrepreneurial training programs have a low level influence on entrepreneurial attitudes orientation among Muslim Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs. It is recommended that further research be done on other relevant factors, such as the implementation of entrepreneurship training programs and family business experience.