Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau Pinang Kampus Permatang Pauh, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2. Department of Business Management, Faculty of Business and Management, University Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang Campus 13500 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
3. Department of Economics and Financial Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, University Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus 42300 Selangor, Malaysia
Abstract
Objective - COVID-19 is the worst in the history of pandemics. Small business survival has been jeopardized in this challenging situation, although entrepreneurs desire to strategize their plans to sustain their business. Other than strategies, psychological characteristics were found to be significant factors for sustaining business among entrepreneurs. Research on the psychological characteristics of entrepreneurs has long been conducted. However, the information is scarce in terms of the main psychological characteristics of entrepreneurs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study explores the Bumiputera women entrepreneurs' psychological characteristics that enable the business's survival.
Methodology/Technique – Using purposive sampling, a semi-structured interview was conducted with Bumiputera women entrepreneurs in the food business located in Penang. Out of 60, only 17 agreed to participate.
Finding – The result of the thematic analysis revealed that self-confidence, creativity, and proactivity were identified as the primary key to sustaining their business. Surprisingly, the entrepreneur's creativity highlighted a new shed to hybrid Malay and Japanese cuisine to produce lemang sushi. Additionally, the study's findings have few consequences for entrepreneurs, societies, and the government. Although the pandemic has had a disastrous effect on health and lifestyle activities, there is always a spark of hope for introducing considerable ways to fulfill entrepreneurial desires and serve the community.
Novelty – As a result, entrepreneurs are incentivized to boost the economy as a person in society by delivering sustainable services to the community.
Type of Paper: Empirical
JEL Classification: Q01, Q18, Q19.
Keywords: Bumiputera; Women, Entrepreneur; Psychological characteristics; Proactive and Creative
Reference to this paper should be referred to as follows: Din, N; Tahir, M.S; Othman, N; Joremi, L. (2022). Personality traits of women entrepreneurs for sustainable food businesses, GATR-Global J. Bus. Soc. Sci. Review, 10(3), 121–131. https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2022.10.3(2)
Publisher
Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise
Reference45 articles.
1. Alikaj, A., Ning, W., & Wu, B. (2021). Proactive Personality and Creative Behavior: Examining the Role of Thriving at Work and High-Involvement HR Practices. Journal of Business and Psychology, 36(5), 857–869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-020-09704-5
2. Bartik, A. W., Bertrand, M., Cullen, Z., Glaeser, E. L., Luca, M., & Stanton, C. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on small business outcomes and expectations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117(30), 17656–17666. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2006991117
3. Bastida, M. (2021). Women's entrepreneurship and self-employment, including aspects of gendered Corporate Social Responsibility Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs Directorate-General for Internal Policies PE. May.
4. Biraglia, A., & Kadile, V. (2017). The Role of Entrepreneurial Passion and Creativity in Developing Entrepreneurial Intentions: Insights from American Homebrewers. Journal of Small Business Management, 55(1), 170–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12242
5. Boyett, I. (1996). The public sector entrepreneur – a definition. International Journal of Public Sector Managemen, 9(2), 36–51.