Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) implementation has affected businesses negatively. Therefore, this study investigates the intention to stay in the Tamu business amongst the Sabah Tamu operators. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data by undertaking purposive and snowballing sampling using a cross-sectional study. Furthermore, the mean difference tests revealed that only the location of the Tamu operators showed a significant mean difference in intention to stay among the respondents. Meanwhile, the post hoc test showed that those in the West Coast of Sabah have a higher statistically significant mean difference than those in other areas such as Kudat, Interior and Tawau division of Sabah. There was no statistically significant mean difference in intention to stay in Tamu business regarding the respondent's age, gender, marital status, education, number of years in Tamu business, and purpose of doing business at Tamu. With a high mean score for intention to stay in Tamu business regardless of the respondent's profile and their responses for more than 60 % indicating Tamu as their primary source of income, the findings implied that most Tamu operators relied on Tamu as their primary business platform. Therefore, it might be difficult for them to leave their current business to venture into a new business that they are not familiar. Therefore, the relevant authorities should provide appropriate supports to these affected Tamu business operators.
Highlights
Like any other nation, Malaysia's essential plans are to increase job opportunities and eradicate poverty
On average, respondents strongly desire to remain in their current business irrespective of their gender, age, marital status, number of years involved in Tamu business, and purpose of doing business at Tamu
Higher mean scores in intention to stay in Tamu business implied that the Tamu operators still have confidence that Tamu activities will resume through strict standard procedures
Summary
Malaysia's essential plans are to increase job opportunities and eradicate poverty. Malaysia promoted entrepreneurship growth to achieve this strategy, as entrepreneurship development would contribute to job creation, economic development, poverty reduction, and other economic and social benefits (Hanafiah et al, 2016). Sabah has undergone significant economic changes since gaining its independence. The consequences of these changes have an indirect effect on Sabah's entrepreneurial and business practices. In Sabah, its traditional market, Tamu, which means "Meeting", serves as one of the platforms for entrepreneurial activity and growth for local people (Foo, 2018). The Gaya Street Tamu, Kota Kinabalu held on Sundays, commands the most foreign visitors due to its location is in the city
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