Pioneering Digital Ventures: Investigating Proactive Personality, Education, and Opportunity in Malaysian Higher Education

Daisy Mui Hung Kee, Yen Jou Khor, Jie Ning Khor, Jia Yue Han, Xin Lan Jiang, Ayushi Singh

Abstract


Digital entrepreneurship has become increasingly important in the context of Industry 4.0. This study explores the connections between digital entrepreneurial intention, proactive personality, entrepreneurial education, and entrepreneurial opportunity among Malaysian public university students. Additionally, it examines the mediating roles of attitudes, subjective norms, and PBC, guided by the TPB. A quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 250 students, which was then analyzed using SPSS to test the proposed model. The findings reveal that entrepreneurial education and PBC are significant predictors of students’ digital entrepreneurial intention. Moreover, proactive personality, entrepreneurship education, and entrepreneurial opportunity indirectly influence digital entrepreneurial intention via PBC. These results contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the factors driving digital entrepreneurial intention and highlight the importance of fostering educational environments that support entrepreneurship. The study provides valuable insights for educators and policymakers to develop strategies that enhance digital entrepreneurial capacities among students, promoting innovation and self-employment opportunities.


Keywords


Digital Entrepreneurial Intention; Entrepreneurial Education; PBC; Proactive Personality; TPB

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abadi, B., Mahdavian, S., & Fattahi, F. (2021). The waste management of fruit and vegetable in wholesale markets: Intention and behavior analysis using path analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 279, 123802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123802

Abdullah, N. H. N. (2023). Digital entrepreneurship: Opportunities, barriers, key drivers. In Handbook of Research on Designing Sustainable Strategies to Develop Entrepreneurial Intention (pp. 103-123). IGI Global.

Agolla, J. E., Monametsi, G. L., & Phera, P. (2019). Antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions amongst business students in a tertiary institution. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13(2), 138–152. https://doi.org/10.1108/apjie-06-2018-0037

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-t

Al-Mamary, Y. H. S., & Alraja, M. M. (2022). Understanding entrepreneurship intention and behavior in the light of TPB model from the digital entrepreneurship perspective. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 2(2), 100106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2022.100106

Al-Mamary, Y. H. S., Abdulrab, M., Alwaheeb, M. A., & Alshammari, N. G. M. (2020). Factors impacting entrepreneurial intentions among university students in Saudi Arabia: Testing an integrated model of TPB and EO. Education + Training, 62(7/8), 779–803. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-04-2020-0096

Alharbi, A., Aljojo, N., Zainol, A., Alshutayri, A., Alharbi, B., Aldhahri, E., Khairullah, E. F., & Almandeel, S. (2021). Identification of critical factors affecting the students’ acceptance of Learning Management System (LMS) in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Innovation, 9(2), 353–388. https://doi.org/10.5585/iji.v9i2.19652

Aloulou, W., Ayadi, F., Ramadani, V., & Dana, L. (2023). Dreaming digital or chasing new real pathways? Unveiling the determinants shaping Saudi youth’s digital entrepreneurial intention. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 30(2/3), 709– 734. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-10-2022-0942

Amofah, K., Saladrigues, R., & Akwaa-Sekyi, E. K. (2020). Entrepreneurial intentions among MBA students. Cogent Business & Management, 7(1), 1832401. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1832401

Ardakani, M. F., Salehi-Abargouei, A., Sotoudeh, A., Esmaeildokht, S., & Bahrevar, V. (2020). Do subjective norms predict the screening of cancer patients’ First-Degree relatives? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 21(6), 1521–1530. https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2020.21.6.1521

Ardichvili, A., Cardozo, R., & Ray, S. (2003). A theory of entrepreneurial opportunity identification and development. Journal of Business Venturing, 18(1), 105–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0883-9026(01)00068-4

Bagaskoro, G. Y., & Qastharin, A. R. (2021). Determining factors that influence indonesian consumers’ sustainable purchase behavior. Journal of International Conference Proceedings, 4(2), 275-291. https://doi.org/10.32535/jicp.v4i2.1250

Chandler, G. N., & Jansen, E. (1992). The founder’s self-assessed competence and venture performance. Journal of Business Venturing, 7(3), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-9026(92)90028-P

Chen, N. Y-F., Crant, J. M., Wang, N., Kou, Y., Qin, Y., Yu, J., & Sun, R. (2021). When there is a will there is a way: The role of proactive personality in combating COVID19. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(2), 199–213 https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000865

Claes, R., Beheydt, C., & Lemmens, B. (2005). Unidimensionality of abbreviated proactive personality scales across cultures. Applied Psychology, 54(4), 476–489. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2005.00221.x

Colombelli, A., Paolucci, E., Raguseo, E., & Elia, G. (2024). The creation of digital innovative start-ups: The role of digital knowledge spillovers and digital skill endowment. Small Business Economics, 62(3), 917-937. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00789-9

Crant, J. M. (1996). The proactive personality scale as a predictor of entrepreneurial intentions. Management, 29(3), 62-74.

Díaz-Casero, J. C., Hernández-Mogollón, R., & Roldán, J. L. (2011). A structural model of the antecedents to entrepreneurial capacity. International Small Business Journal, 30(8), 850– 872. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242610385263

Donbesuur, F., Boso, N., & Hultman, M. (2020). The effect of entrepreneurial orientation on new venture performance: Contingency roles of entrepreneurial actions. Journal of Business Research, 118, 150–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.06.042

Douglas, E. J., & Shepherd, D. A. (2002). Self-Employment as a career choice: Attitudes, entrepreneurial intentions, and utility maximization. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 26(3), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/104225870202600305

Duong, C. D. (2021). Exploring the link between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions: The moderating role of educational fields. Education + Training, 64(7), 869–891. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-05-2021-0173

Franke, N., & Lüthje, C. (2004). Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In Springer eBooks (pp. 33– 46). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-17114-7_3

Galloway, L., & Brown, W. (2002). Entrepreneurship education at university: A driver in the creation of high growth firms? Education + Training, 44(8/9), 398–405. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910210449231

Gunaseelan, K., Subramaniam, T. S., Sern, L. C., Jabor, M. K., & Rathakrishnan, G. (2022). Digital entrepreneurship among higher education students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(9). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v12- i9/14842

Hamdie, K. M., Koroy, T. R., Arifin, Z., Muslim, M., & Naviri, T. (2022). The analysis of determinants of compliance in mandatory manpower report with Theory of Planned Behavior and Institutional Theory. Journal of International Conference Proceedings, 5(1), 385-399. https://doi.org/10.32535/jicp.v5i1.1487

Hassan, H. K. (2020). Intention towards social entrepreneurship of university students in an emerging economy: the influence of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurship education. On the Horizon, 28(3), 133–151. https://doi.org/10.1108/oth-04-2020-0012

Hu, M. K., & Kee, D. M. H. (2022). Harmonising global higher education: Optimise learning in the new normal. In E. J. Valeau, R. L. Raby, & U. Gaulee (Eds.), Shaping a Humane World Through Global Higher Education: Pre-Challenges and Post-Opportunities During a Pandemic (pp. 130-140). STAR Scholars.

Hu, R., Shen, Z., Kang, T. W., Wang, L., Bin, P., & Sun, S. (2023). Entrepreneurial passion matters: The relationship between proactive personality and entrepreneurial intention. SAGE Open, 13(4), 21582440231200940. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231200940

Huang, Z., & Kee, D. M. H. (2024). Exploring entrepreneurial intention: The roles of proactive personality, education, opportunity and planned behavior. Heliyon, e31714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31714

Hueso, J. A., Jaén, I., & Liñán, F. (2021). From personal values to entrepreneurial intention: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 27(1), 205–230. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-06-2020-0383

Karimi, S., Biemans, H. J., Naderi Mahdei, K., Lans, T., Chizari, M., & Mulder, M. (2017). Testing the relationship between personality characteristics, contextual factors and entrepreneurial intentions in a developing country. International Journal of Psychology, 52(3), 227-240. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12209

Kee, D. M. H., Miguel, C., & Khin, S (2023). The key enablers of SMEs readiness in Industry 4.0: A case of Malaysia. International Journal of Emerging Markets, https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-08-2021-1291

Khin, S., & Kee, D. M. H. (2022). Factors influencing Industry 4.0 adoption. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 33(3), 448-467. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-03-2021-0111

Leong, C. K. (2008). Entrepreneurial intention: An empirical study among Open University Malaysia (OUM) students [Master’s thesis, Open University Malaysia (OUM)]. Open University Malaysia Knowledge Repository. https://library.oum.edu.my/repository/306/

Leroy, H., Maes, J., Sels, L., Debrulle, J., & Meuleman, M. (2009). Gender effects on entrepreneurial intentions: A Tab Multi Group Analysis at factor and indicator level [Paper presentation]. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. (2009). Development and Cross–Cultural application of a specific instrument to measure entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(3), 593– 617. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00318.x

Mensah, I. K., Zeng, G., Luo, C., Xiao, Z., & Lu, M. (2021). Exploring the predictors of Chinese college students’ entrepreneurial intention. SAGE Open, 11(3), 215824402110299. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211029941

Meoli, A., Fini, R., Sobrero, M., & Wiklund, J. (2020). How entrepreneurial intentions influence entrepreneurial career choices: The moderating influence of social context. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(3), 105982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2019.105982

Mohammed, S. A. S. A., Bamahros, H. M. A., Grada, M. S., & Alaswadi, W. (2023). EC-education, gender disparity, and digital entrepreneurship intention: The moderating role of attitude components; a competitive advantage of the Ha'il region. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 3(2), 100179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2023.100179

Naz, S., Li, C., Zaman, U., & Rafiq, M. (2020). Linking proactive personality and entrepreneurial intentions: A serial mediation model involving broader and specific self-efficacy. Journal of Open Innovation, 6(4), 166. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc6040166

Ng, H. S., Chiang, T. Y, & Kee, D. M. H. (2022). Entrepreneurial intention-behaviour link: The moderating effects of COVID-19 perception, entrepreneurial motivation, and prior entrepreneurial exposure. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Management Practices, 5(19), 01-09. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijemp.519001

Ng, H. S., Kee, D. M. H., & Khan, M. J. (2021). Effects of personality, education and opportunities on entrepreneurial intentions. Education + Training, 63(7/8), 992-1014. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-02-2019-0040

Nguyen, P. N. D., & Nguyen, H. H. (2024). Unveiling the link between digital entrepreneurship education and intention among university students in an emerging economy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 203, 123330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123330

Phong, N. D., Thao, N. T. P., & Nguyen, N. P. (2020). Entrepreneurial intent of business students: Empirical evidence from a transitional economy. Cogent Business & Management, 7(1), 1747962. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1747962

Sandroto, C. W., Ramawati, Y., & Darmoyo, S. (2024). Elements of entrepreneur competencies and intention to be entrepreneurs. International Journal of Applied Business and International Management, 9(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijabim.v9i1.2

Sharifian, N., Sol, K., Zahodne, L. B., & Antonucci, T. C. (2022). Social relationships and adaptation in later life. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 52–72). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12- 818697-8.00016-9

Singh, R., & Dwivedi, A. (2022). Digital entrepreneurship competency and digital entrepreneurial intention: Role of entrepreneurial motivation. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 2310-2322.

The Star. (2023, November 20). Malaysia recorded 5.92 million graduates in 2022, says Statistics Dept. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/20/malaysia-produced-almost-six-million-graduates-in-2022-says-statistics-dept#:~:text=PUTRAJAYA%3A%20Malaysia%20recorded%205.92%20million,by%20the%20Malaysia%20Statistics%20Department.

Vu, T. H., Duc, A., DO, Ha, D. L., Hoang, D. T., Van Le, T. A., & Le, T. T. H. (2024). Antecedents of digital entrepreneurial intention among engineering students. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 4(1), 100233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2024.100233

Wibowo, A., Narmaditya, B. S., Sebayang, K. D. A., Mukhtar, S., & Shafiai, M. H. M. (2023). How does digital entrepreneurship education promote entrepreneurial intention? The role of social media and entrepreneurial intuition. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100681

Yang, W., & Meyer, K. E. (2019). Alliance proactiveness and firm performance in an emerging economy. Industrial Marketing Management, 82, 226–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2019.01.010




DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v7i3.3605

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Daisy Mui Hung Kee, Yen Jou Khor, Jie Ning Khor, Jia Yue Han, Xin Lan Jiang, Ayushi Singh

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality in Asia Pacific (IJTHAP)

ISSN 2685-8800 (Print) | ISSN 2654-7945 (Online)

DOI Prefix: 10.32535 by CrossRef

Published by AIBPM Publisher

JL. Kahuripan No. 9, Hotel Sahid Montana, Malang, Indonesia

Email: journal.ijthap@gmail.com

Phone: +62 341 366222

Website: https://ejournal.aibpmjournals.com/index.php/IJTHAP

Governed by

Association of International Business and Professional Management

Email: admin@aibpm.org

Website: https://www.aibpm.org/

Indexed by

Garuda Google Scholar Dimensions Scilit ROAD Crossref Index Copernicus

Licensing Information

Creative Commons License
International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality in Asia Pacific (IJTHAP) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

Visitor Statistics

Flag Counter

View IJTHAP Stats

Follow Us: