Factors Determing the Success of SMEs in Malaysia. A Qualitative Study

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2018 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 3.8, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, language: English, abstract: This report will helps identify gaps that this study is aiming to bridge, which will also help guide the entire paper. It is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook the importance of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the economic and social development of a country. In view of their identified importance, this study aims to develop a better understanding of the factors that influence success and performance in small and medium enterprises in Malaysia, as perceived by owners and/or managers. The research framework, which was derived from a systematic literature review, was carefully analyzed, observed and investigated using a two (2) stage design, which incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The justification behind the two (2) stage methodology was mainly to avoid common method bias and, furthermore, seek to clarify findings arising from the survey by providing individual insights. Approaches were adopted in succession with the findings from the quantitative phase which in turn informs the qualitative phase. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have an important role to play in the development of a country. A strong SME sector contributes highly to the economy, contributing to the gross domestic product, by reducing the level of unemployment, reduction in poverty levels and promotion of entrepreneurship activity. Therefore, the success of this sector determines economic status of the economy of Malaysia which is dependent on a number of factors.