Abstract
The Government Business Support Services (GBSS) plays important role in fostering economic development in Malaysia. With the aim to strenghten SME’s performance the government has spent a substantial amount of money on SME support programs via their various agencies. The paper begins with brief explanation on the concept of business support services which, covering the supplier of services, type of services offered and services coverage. The study further discussed about factors identified to influence SMEs in utilising business support services. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, bureaucracy, location, advisors’ knowledge and length of service are among the factors to influence the decision. Most of the findings were result of the studies which were conducted in western side of the globe among developed countries. There are dearth literatures in Asian countries in particular among developing countries. Therefore, the gap was identified to include cultures and local environment as factors to moderate the usage of business support services beside the owners’ characteristics for future study.
Highlights
Small Medium Enterprises or SME is known as engine of growth and prime mover of economic development
This study argued that the knowledge gap between SMEs and advisors was among factors influenced the selection of adviser
Past studies indicate the vital role of the business support services to SMEs despite a low usage rate
Summary
Small Medium Enterprises or SME is known as engine of growth and prime mover of economic development. SMEs’ involvement in economic activities becomes critical to the nation in supporting government inspiration to achieve high income nation in year 2015. The current economic environment demands SMEs to move at faster pace, operate at maximum productivity level and practice innovation. Considering myriad of weaknesses possesses by SMEs, the ability to grow at faster rate and sustain becomes critical issues. SMEs seriously need external support to remain relevant in dynamic and challenging business environment. External support comes from two major sources: government and private sectors. The objective of the present study firstly, to identify and understand the antecedents to usage of business support services among SMEs with focus on the government business support services (GBSS). Previous studies showed that the GBSS has experienced a low utilisation rate. Though the government has invested huge amount of money via business support programs, sadly, some of the services are idle
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