Effective Resources to Mobilize Women Entrepreneurship: A Success Case Study of Family Tourism Businesses in Tioman Island, Malaysia

Abstract

Family-owned tourism businesses have unique resources to empower women in remote island destinations. There is limited literature that postulates the resource acquisition to mobilize women entrepreneurs within the family business study. Hence, this paper provided empirical knowledge on family tourism businesses methods to mobilize women entrepreneurs in rural Tioman Island in Malaysia. This study employed a qualitative case study approach by applying in-depth interviews for data collection. A successful case study was carried out in Tioman Island with 11 women entrepreneurs who have been actively involved in family tourism business operations since the 1980s. The resulting opportunities from the family organization setting, familiness nature and tourism industry as a setting modifier have greatly mobilized women into family tourism entrepreneurship. Thus, this case study provided comprehensive information on family tourism businesses’ implications on women entrepreneurs’ competitiveness in Tioman Island.