The influence of entrepreneurial characteristics, work experience, training and networking towards women entrepreneurial success in Malaysia

The study is designed to examine the factors that influence the success among women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. This study examines the mediating role of networking on the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics (need for achievement, risk taking, self-confidence and creative and innovative), work experience and training toward entrepreneurial success among women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Despite the increasing number of women entrepreneurs, the number of successful ones is still small. Women tend to get involved in only the micro and small industries due to their gender barrier which often associates them with dual roles, and that is towards business and family. Data of this study was collected using questionnaires from women entrepreneurs who have been registered with Peniagawati and Usahanita. This quantitative study employs Smart-PLS (3.0) to analyse the data obtained from a sample of 166 respondents and to test the hypothesis. The results indicated a significant direct relationship
between entrepreneurial characteristics (need for achievement, selfconfidence, creative and innovative) and women entrepreneurial success. However, no significant relationship was found between risk taking, work experience and training with women entrepreneurial success. In addition, the study established the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics (of risk taking, self-confidence, creative and innovative) and work experience and training towards networking. In contrast, the characteristic of need for achievement showed no significant difference with networking. Furthermore, the study also showed networking had mediated the relationship between risk taking, self-confidence, creative and innovative, as well as training, with women entrepreneurial success. The relationship between need for achievement and work experience with women entrepreneurial success was found to be negative. The results of the study provide important insight for government, policymakers and women entrepreneurial associations to comprehend the influence of those variables on women entrepreneurial success. Finally, limitations and suggestions for future research were also discussed in this study.