THE RELATIONSHIP OF ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAITS TO THE BENEFICIARIES INCOME LEVEL IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

Abstract

Globally, many scholars view entrepreneurship as an important mechanism for eradicating poverty. The Malaysian government has implemented various entrepreneurship programs or in other word income generating programs which have provided the productive hard-core and poor individuals with training, motivation and in-kind transfers for the purpose of income generation. However, the effectiveness of these programs in eradicating poverty is still questionable. Why are some entrepreneurs successful in their entrepreneurship ventures, thus achieving the program objective of increasing income level? Why do some failed to do so? In view of the government’s interest in increasing beneficiary income level, hence getting themselves and others out of poverty, this study focuses on determining the effects of entrepreneurial traits (knowledge and skills, motivation, risk-taking and passion) on beneficiary’s level of income. The study uses quantitative approaches and survey as the research method. A total of 250 beneficiaries were selected from the Azam Bandar Program and the Kios Penjaja Bandar Program as the respondents of the study. The respondents of this study were selected using stratified random sampling technique around the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Findings of this study revealed that the entrepreneurial traits except for passion are not significant to income level. Hence, the findings of this study, will serve as a guide to policy makers, especially the implementers of the programs in the future or in improving the existing programs.