Entrepreneurship training and development programs: Entrepreneurs’ perceptions

Abstract

In Malaysia, the number of entrepreneurs in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is increasing from year to year and this gives a good signal to the country. To ensure that Malaysian entrepreneurs keep on improving, the government has embarked on developing capacity-building initiatives through various ministries and agencies to promote and nurture entrepreneurs by actively providing various kinds of entrepreneurial training and development programs. However, there is a difference in perception of the entrepreneurial programs offered. Therefore, this study aims to examine the perception towards differences of entrepreneurial practices and entrepreneurial development programs among entrepreneurs in East-Coast and West-Coast Peninsular Malaysia. This study collected data through a questionnaire survey. There were 500 sets of questionnaire distributed to the SDSI entrepreneurs, however, 466 sets were returned and usable for the data analysis. The results indicate that there is no significant difference in perception of entrepreneurial skills training among the SDSI entrepreneurs between East-Coast and West-Coast Peninsular Malaysia with the significant value of 0.186 (t = –1.324; p > 0.05). Interestingly, it was found that region is not a significant factor contributing to the effectiveness of entrepreneurial skills training and practices among respondents. There is also no significant difference in business financing practice between these two regions. The results also show that there is a significant difference on perception of ICT technology training among the SDSI entrepreneurs in East-Coast and West-Coast Peninsular Malaysia with the significant value 0.030 (t = 2.179; p < 0.05). It is hoped these results will provide additional information to the training providers especially those who have been entrusted by the Malaysian government to train the entrepreneurs and bring them to better positions in this competitive business world.