ABSTRACT
Semasa pandemik Covid-19, teknologi digital menjadi antara medium terpenting untuk memacu semula perniagaan yang merosot. Bagi usahawan luar bandar, isu ini amat signifikan kerana teknologi digital berpotensi menghubungkan perniagaan dengan pasaran yang lebih besar di kawasan bandar. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneroka faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kecenderungan penggunaan teknologi digital dalam kalangan usahawan luar bandar di Malaysia. Menggunakan kaedah kualitatif data dikumpul melalui temubual bersama 30 orang dari lima sektor perniagaan. Transkrip temubual kemudiannya dianalisa menggunakan kaedah analisis tematik untuk menghubungkaitkan teori dan dapatan kajian. Bagi kajian ini, teori yang digunakan terhasil daripada integrasi antara model TAM dan TOE. Seterusnya, tema kajian dianalisis menggunakan perisian Atlas.ti bagi melalui proses penjaringan. Hasil analisis kajian memperlihatkan bahawa jenis perniagaan menjadi penentu kepada penggunaan teknologi digital manakala faktor umur pula menentukan kadar penggunaannya sama ada rendah mahupun sebaliknya. Penemuan ini dijangka membantu usahawan luar bandar untuk memanfaatkan penggunaan teknologi digital bagi meningkatkan keuntungan perniagaan dan menggunakannya untuk bersaing dalam persekitaran ekonomi digital selain membantu agensi kerajaan dalam menyediakan bantuan berbentuk latihan dan infrastuktur yang bersesuaian dengan keperluan usahawan.Alternate :During the Covid-19 pandemic, digital technology has become among the most important mediums to reinvigorate declining businesses. For rural entrepreneurs, this issue is significance as digital technology has the potential to connect them with larger markets in urban areas. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the use of digital technology among rural entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Using qualitative methods, data were collected through interviews with 30 person from five sectors. The interview transcripts were then analyzed using thematic analysis method to the highlight the relationship between theory and the findings. For this study, the theory used results from the integration between TAM and TOE models. Then, Atlas.ti software were use for networking process. The results of the analysis shows that the type of business determines the use of digital technology while the age factor determines whether the rate of use is low or vice versa. This finding is expected to help rural entrepreneurs to take advantage of the use of digital technology that can increase business profits and use it to compete in the digital environment besides helping government agencies in provide facilities such as training and infrastructure according to the needs of entrepreneurs.
ABSTRACT
PurposeThe study aims to establish and conceptualise entrepreneurial orientation (EO) as a key construct that positively influences small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) performance. In this paper, a conceptual framework was developed, and three research propositions were outlined: EO (innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking) positively influences SME performance;the economic stimulus packages moderate EO and the differentiation strategy;and the differentiation strategy mediates EO and SME performance. Each of the constructs was defined, and the conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia were identified.Design/methodology/approachThe paper suggests links between EO and SME performance and the effects of economic stimulus packages and differentiation strategies on Malaysia's service and manufacturing industry. These concepts lead to the development of propositions based on prior empirical studies underpinning the resource-based view theory and contingency approach. The propositions aim to develop further findings and test the hypotheses.FindingsThe study proposes three research propositions to conceptualise the relationship between the four main constructs. The study also recommends an empirical approach to conduct and test the research model concerning Malaysia's service and manufacturing industry.Originality/valueWhile studies on EO and SME performance have been conducted extensively, studies on the impact of various economic stimulus packages by the Malaysian government on the existing EO and SME performance relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited. Separately, this study uses a configuration approach to test the mediator and moderator during the COVID-19 pandemic.