Social Entrepreneur as Career: Why it Attracts Youth in Malaysia?

Abstract

Malaysian government takes seriously in empowering the social entrepreneurship activity among youth with their aim to establish 1000 social enterprise in 2018. Although this issue is important, the number of studies related to career as social entrepreneurs among youth is still scarce in this country. The main goal of this study was to explore why career as a social entrepreneur bring much interest among youth in Malaysia. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach, where interviewing methods were used for eight youth social entrepreneurs who were voluntarily engaged in this study. Data analysis revealed three themes which are i) the motivation gain from their surroundings, ii) interest in business and social activities, and iii) high desire to help and develop their community. This finding may be useful to increase the number of youth social entrepreneurs in Malaysia, in which people who are interested in social sector are encouraged to make campaigns on social entrepreneurship activities towards SME entrepreneurs. By encouraging this, hopefully a sharing session of inspirational stories from successful entrepreneurs will benefit the upcoming youth social entrepreneurs. Perhaps the sharing session will open their eyes in using or continuing using the social entrepreneurship model compared to using the CSR approach to help their community.