Understanding the Sociological Aspects Impacting the Business Endeavour Among Bumiputera Graduates
Keywords:
Bumiputera, graduate, entrepreneurs
Abstract
In 2020, 202,400 from 5.36 million graduates in Malaysia were unemployed. Although the unemployment may have happened mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and various Movement Control Order (MCO), 16,000 of them were already unemployed for more than a year. The situation has raised a question as to why they did not become entrepreneurs. Hence, the researcher interviewed seven Bumiputera graduate entrepreneurs to understand the sociological aspects impacting the business endeavours among the graduates. The sampling techniques used were purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The researcher found that the ultimate reason for getting into universities is to be employed, not to do business. Bumiputera also does not have entrepreneurial culture. Instead, they have a culture of working for others. Although most participants were aware that social status is important for social networks that are crucial for business development, some thought that it is not essential for them because they only want to do business just to survive. Their past working experience also played a vital role in leading them to become entrepreneurs.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Abdullah, F., Hamali, J., Deen, A. R., Saban, G., & Abdurahman, A. Z. A. (2009). Developing a Framework of Success of Bumiputera Entrepreneurs. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 3(1), 8–24.
Abdullah, Z. (2018). Exploring University Branding: Employers’ Expectation On University Graduates On Competency. Jurnal Personalia Pelajar 21(1): 95-104 95, 21(1), 95–104.
Arshad, A. S., Zain, Z. M., Rashid, A. A., Arshad, A. A., Ariffin, A., Mokhtar, M., & Zahari, A. S. (2018). Entrepreneurial Orientation towards Business Performance : A Study on Tunas Mekar Participants. ASEAN Entrepreneurship Journal (AEJ), 4(1), 25–35.
Bartos, P., Rahman, A., Horak, J., & Jacova, H. (2015). Education and Entrepreneurship in The SME Segment in Economic Transformation. Economics and Sociology, 8(2), 227–239.
Bernama. (2019). Only 40pct of Companies are Owned by Malays, Other Bumis - Hatta. Malaysiakini. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/482933
Cao, J., & Smith, E. B. (2021). Why Do High-status People Have Larger Social Networks? Belief in Status-quality Coupling as a Driver of Network-broadening Behavior and Social Network Size. Organization Science, 32(1), 1–22.
Colombatto, E., & Melnik, A. (2007). Early Work Experience and the Transition into Entrepreneurship. Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, 12(1), 9–26.
Davis, A. (2019). Societal Expectations for a College Student. The Aumnibus. http://theaumnibus.com/societal-expectations-for-a-college-student/
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2021a). Graduates Statistics 2020. https://dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=476&bul_id=U1ltVWpwNXRNRUR2NlhRSHZmenRMUT09&menu_id=Tm8zcnRjdVRNWWlpWjRlbmtlaDk1UT09
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2021b). Key Statistics of Labour Force in Malaysia, September 2021. https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=124&bul_id=NXhZL3c1UmZ6OHM2Z2grTzlTN0hGQT09&menu_id=Tm8zcnRjdVRNWWlpWjRlbmtlaDk1UT09
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2021c). Press Release: Current Population Estimates, Malaysia, 2021. https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/pdfPrev&id=ZjJOSnpJR21sQWVUcUp6ODRudm5JZz09
Dragan, C., Dejan, D., Srdjan, B., Dragana, S., & Robert, M. (2013). Quality of Business, Entrepreneurship Education and Business start up Intentions Among Students in Serbia: Research Results. Industrija, 41(3), 125–145.
Fatoki, O. (2014). The Entrepreneurial Intention of Undergraduate Students in South Africa: The Influences of Entrepreneurship Education and Previous Work Experience. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(7), 294–299.
Floyd, C. W. (2019). Sons of The Soil: The Past, Present, and Future of Malaysia’s Bumiputera. Perspectives on Business and Economics, 37-, 97–104.
Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2002). What Can Economists Learn from Happiness Research ? Journal of Economic Literature, XL(June), 402–435.
Gabrielsson, J., & Politis, D. (2012). Work Experience and The Generation of New Business Ideas Among Entrepreneurs: An Integrated Learning Framework. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, 18(1), 48–74.
Hamer, K., McFarland, S., Czarnecka, B., Golińska, A., Cadena, L. M., Łużniak-Piecha, M., & Jułkowski, T. (2020). What Is an “Ethnic Group” in Ordinary People’s Eyes? Different Ways of Understanding It Among American, British, Mexican, and Polish Respondents. Cross-Cultural Research, 54(1), 28–72.
Hamidon, S. (2009). The Development of Malay Entrepreneurship in Malaysia. Massey University.
Hamilton, L., & Klerk, N. de. (2016). Generation Y Female Students’ Motivation Towards Entrepreneurship. International Journal of Business and Management Studies, 8(2), 50–65.
Hamilton, R. T., & Harper, D. A. (1994). The Entrepreneur in Theory and Practice. Journal of Economic Studies, 21(6), 3–18.
Heinz, W. R. (2010). Life Course Dynamics in Historical Development and Theoretical Approaches in Sociology. In C. Crothers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (Vol. 1).
Ismail, A. Z. H., Zain, M. F. M., & Ahmed, E. M. (2006). A Study Of Motivation In Business Start-Ups Among Malay Entrepreneurs. International Business & Economics Research Journal, 5(2), 103–112.
Jacobs, K. (2017). The Rise of the Unemployed Graduates: Who/What is to Blame? CA Global. https://www.caglobalint.com/recruitmentafrica/blog/2017/09/19/the-rise-of-the-unemployed-graduate-whowhat-is-to-blame/
Johan, S. (2017). What Defines a Bumiputra? The Star Online. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/online-exclusive/a-humble-submission/2017/07/27/what-defines-a-bumiputra-as-we-debate-this-issue-it-is-important-for-us-to-get-all-the-terminology-r
Khan, S. M., Rehman, M., & Rehman, C. A. (2016). Work Experience and Entrepreneurship: Evidence From Various Industries of (Lahore) Pakistan. Sci.Int.(Lahore), 28(1), 571–583.
Mansor, T. R. T., & Daud, Z. (2020). The Effect of Social Network on Malaysian Malay-Owned SME Performance. Albukhary Social Business Journal, 1(1), 73–85.
Marzuki, S. Z. S., Kadir, M. A. B., Buyong, S. Z., & Junid, J. (2016). Motivating Factors Influencing Business among Youth in Malaysia. ASEAN Entrepreneurship Journal, 2(2), 37–45.
Millar, E. (2014). The Expectation Gap: Students’ and Universities’ Roles in Preparing for Life After Grad. In The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/the-expectation-gap-students-and-universities-roles-in-preparing-for-life-after-grad/article21187004/
Minarcine, S., & Shaw, C. (2016). Motivations for Entrepreneurship. International Journal of the Academic Business World, 10(2), 47–56.
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2019). Laporan Kajian Pengesanan Graduan 2018.
Mondal, P. (2017). The Importance of Sociology to Society. https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/the-importance-of-sociology-to-society-1219-words/8490
Muhammad, Y. (2017). The Solution to Unemployment? Universal Entrepreneurship. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/solution-unemployment-universal-entrepreneurship-muhammad-yunus
Olaechea, A. B. (2018). Working Experience and Entrepreneurship. Universidad Esan.
Othman, N. H., Pazil, A. H. M., Attaullah, S. A., Zaib, S. Z. M., Jin, C. W., & Mahadi, N. F. D. (2009). Influence of Work Experience and Education Towards Business Performance Among Entrepreneurs. International Business, 1(2016), 78–87.
Posselt, J. R., & Grodsky, E. (2017). Graduate Education and Social Stratification. Annual Review of Sociology, 43(1), 353–378.
Reneflot, A., & Evensen, M. (2014). Unemployment and Psychological Distress Among Young Adults in The Nordic Countries: A Review of The Literature. International Journal of Social Welfare, 23(1), 3–15.
Reynolds, P. D. (1992). Sociology and Entrepreneurship: Concepts and Contributions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 16(2), 47–70.
Ruef, M., & Lounsbury, M. (2007). Introduction: The Sociology of Entrepreneurship. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 25, 1–29.
Sabuhilaki, B. (2016). Social Factors Affecting Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 3(1), 1226–1236.
Simpeh, K. N. (2011). Entrepreneurship theories and Empirical research : A Summary Review of the Literature. European Journal Of Business and Management, 3(6), 1–8.
Staniewski, M. W. (2016). The Contribution of Business Experience and Knowledge to Successful Entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Research, 69(11), 5147–5152.
University of Minnesota. (n.d.). 4 . 4 Socialization Through the Life Course. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/4-4-socialization-through-the-life-course/
Van Praag, M. (2009). Who Values The Status of The Entrepreneur? In IZA Discussion Papers (No. 4245).
Wahlbeck, Ö. (2008). Entrepreneurship as Social Status: Turkish Immigrants’ Experiences of Self-Employment in Finland. Migration Letters, 5(1), 53–62.
Xi, G., Block, J., Lasch, F., Robert, F., & Thurik, R. (2016). Work Experience from Paid Employment and Entry Mode to Entrepreneurship: Business Takeover Versus New Venture Start-up. In IZA Discussion Papers (No. 9949).
Yunus, A., & Yusof, T. A. (2021). Stop Blaming the Bumiputera, Says Tajuddin [NSTTV]. New Straits Time. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/742369/stop-blaming-bumiputera-says-tajuddin-nsttv
Abdullah, Z. (2018). Exploring University Branding: Employers’ Expectation On University Graduates On Competency. Jurnal Personalia Pelajar 21(1): 95-104 95, 21(1), 95–104.
Arshad, A. S., Zain, Z. M., Rashid, A. A., Arshad, A. A., Ariffin, A., Mokhtar, M., & Zahari, A. S. (2018). Entrepreneurial Orientation towards Business Performance : A Study on Tunas Mekar Participants. ASEAN Entrepreneurship Journal (AEJ), 4(1), 25–35.
Bartos, P., Rahman, A., Horak, J., & Jacova, H. (2015). Education and Entrepreneurship in The SME Segment in Economic Transformation. Economics and Sociology, 8(2), 227–239.
Bernama. (2019). Only 40pct of Companies are Owned by Malays, Other Bumis - Hatta. Malaysiakini. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/482933
Cao, J., & Smith, E. B. (2021). Why Do High-status People Have Larger Social Networks? Belief in Status-quality Coupling as a Driver of Network-broadening Behavior and Social Network Size. Organization Science, 32(1), 1–22.
Colombatto, E., & Melnik, A. (2007). Early Work Experience and the Transition into Entrepreneurship. Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, 12(1), 9–26.
Davis, A. (2019). Societal Expectations for a College Student. The Aumnibus. http://theaumnibus.com/societal-expectations-for-a-college-student/
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2021a). Graduates Statistics 2020. https://dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=476&bul_id=U1ltVWpwNXRNRUR2NlhRSHZmenRMUT09&menu_id=Tm8zcnRjdVRNWWlpWjRlbmtlaDk1UT09
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2021b). Key Statistics of Labour Force in Malaysia, September 2021. https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=124&bul_id=NXhZL3c1UmZ6OHM2Z2grTzlTN0hGQT09&menu_id=Tm8zcnRjdVRNWWlpWjRlbmtlaDk1UT09
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2021c). Press Release: Current Population Estimates, Malaysia, 2021. https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/pdfPrev&id=ZjJOSnpJR21sQWVUcUp6ODRudm5JZz09
Dragan, C., Dejan, D., Srdjan, B., Dragana, S., & Robert, M. (2013). Quality of Business, Entrepreneurship Education and Business start up Intentions Among Students in Serbia: Research Results. Industrija, 41(3), 125–145.
Fatoki, O. (2014). The Entrepreneurial Intention of Undergraduate Students in South Africa: The Influences of Entrepreneurship Education and Previous Work Experience. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(7), 294–299.
Floyd, C. W. (2019). Sons of The Soil: The Past, Present, and Future of Malaysia’s Bumiputera. Perspectives on Business and Economics, 37-, 97–104.
Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2002). What Can Economists Learn from Happiness Research ? Journal of Economic Literature, XL(June), 402–435.
Gabrielsson, J., & Politis, D. (2012). Work Experience and The Generation of New Business Ideas Among Entrepreneurs: An Integrated Learning Framework. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, 18(1), 48–74.
Hamer, K., McFarland, S., Czarnecka, B., Golińska, A., Cadena, L. M., Łużniak-Piecha, M., & Jułkowski, T. (2020). What Is an “Ethnic Group” in Ordinary People’s Eyes? Different Ways of Understanding It Among American, British, Mexican, and Polish Respondents. Cross-Cultural Research, 54(1), 28–72.
Hamidon, S. (2009). The Development of Malay Entrepreneurship in Malaysia. Massey University.
Hamilton, L., & Klerk, N. de. (2016). Generation Y Female Students’ Motivation Towards Entrepreneurship. International Journal of Business and Management Studies, 8(2), 50–65.
Hamilton, R. T., & Harper, D. A. (1994). The Entrepreneur in Theory and Practice. Journal of Economic Studies, 21(6), 3–18.
Heinz, W. R. (2010). Life Course Dynamics in Historical Development and Theoretical Approaches in Sociology. In C. Crothers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (Vol. 1).
Ismail, A. Z. H., Zain, M. F. M., & Ahmed, E. M. (2006). A Study Of Motivation In Business Start-Ups Among Malay Entrepreneurs. International Business & Economics Research Journal, 5(2), 103–112.
Jacobs, K. (2017). The Rise of the Unemployed Graduates: Who/What is to Blame? CA Global. https://www.caglobalint.com/recruitmentafrica/blog/2017/09/19/the-rise-of-the-unemployed-graduate-whowhat-is-to-blame/
Johan, S. (2017). What Defines a Bumiputra? The Star Online. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/online-exclusive/a-humble-submission/2017/07/27/what-defines-a-bumiputra-as-we-debate-this-issue-it-is-important-for-us-to-get-all-the-terminology-r
Khan, S. M., Rehman, M., & Rehman, C. A. (2016). Work Experience and Entrepreneurship: Evidence From Various Industries of (Lahore) Pakistan. Sci.Int.(Lahore), 28(1), 571–583.
Mansor, T. R. T., & Daud, Z. (2020). The Effect of Social Network on Malaysian Malay-Owned SME Performance. Albukhary Social Business Journal, 1(1), 73–85.
Marzuki, S. Z. S., Kadir, M. A. B., Buyong, S. Z., & Junid, J. (2016). Motivating Factors Influencing Business among Youth in Malaysia. ASEAN Entrepreneurship Journal, 2(2), 37–45.
Millar, E. (2014). The Expectation Gap: Students’ and Universities’ Roles in Preparing for Life After Grad. In The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/the-expectation-gap-students-and-universities-roles-in-preparing-for-life-after-grad/article21187004/
Minarcine, S., & Shaw, C. (2016). Motivations for Entrepreneurship. International Journal of the Academic Business World, 10(2), 47–56.
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2019). Laporan Kajian Pengesanan Graduan 2018.
Mondal, P. (2017). The Importance of Sociology to Society. https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/the-importance-of-sociology-to-society-1219-words/8490
Muhammad, Y. (2017). The Solution to Unemployment? Universal Entrepreneurship. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/solution-unemployment-universal-entrepreneurship-muhammad-yunus
Olaechea, A. B. (2018). Working Experience and Entrepreneurship. Universidad Esan.
Othman, N. H., Pazil, A. H. M., Attaullah, S. A., Zaib, S. Z. M., Jin, C. W., & Mahadi, N. F. D. (2009). Influence of Work Experience and Education Towards Business Performance Among Entrepreneurs. International Business, 1(2016), 78–87.
Posselt, J. R., & Grodsky, E. (2017). Graduate Education and Social Stratification. Annual Review of Sociology, 43(1), 353–378.
Reneflot, A., & Evensen, M. (2014). Unemployment and Psychological Distress Among Young Adults in The Nordic Countries: A Review of The Literature. International Journal of Social Welfare, 23(1), 3–15.
Reynolds, P. D. (1992). Sociology and Entrepreneurship: Concepts and Contributions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 16(2), 47–70.
Ruef, M., & Lounsbury, M. (2007). Introduction: The Sociology of Entrepreneurship. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 25, 1–29.
Sabuhilaki, B. (2016). Social Factors Affecting Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 3(1), 1226–1236.
Simpeh, K. N. (2011). Entrepreneurship theories and Empirical research : A Summary Review of the Literature. European Journal Of Business and Management, 3(6), 1–8.
Staniewski, M. W. (2016). The Contribution of Business Experience and Knowledge to Successful Entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Research, 69(11), 5147–5152.
University of Minnesota. (n.d.). 4 . 4 Socialization Through the Life Course. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/4-4-socialization-through-the-life-course/
Van Praag, M. (2009). Who Values The Status of The Entrepreneur? In IZA Discussion Papers (No. 4245).
Wahlbeck, Ö. (2008). Entrepreneurship as Social Status: Turkish Immigrants’ Experiences of Self-Employment in Finland. Migration Letters, 5(1), 53–62.
Xi, G., Block, J., Lasch, F., Robert, F., & Thurik, R. (2016). Work Experience from Paid Employment and Entry Mode to Entrepreneurship: Business Takeover Versus New Venture Start-up. In IZA Discussion Papers (No. 9949).
Yunus, A., & Yusof, T. A. (2021). Stop Blaming the Bumiputera, Says Tajuddin [NSTTV]. New Straits Time. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/742369/stop-blaming-bumiputera-says-tajuddin-nsttv
