A Study among University Students in Business Start-Ups in Malaysia: Motivations and Obstacles to Become Entrepreneurs
Yeng Keat, Ooi;Shuhymee Ahmad

Abstract
While most of the universities in Malaysia offer entrepreneurship courses today, little is known about how and why an individual starting up and sustaining a new venture. This study examines and determines the perceptions on entrepreneurship, motivators as well as obstacles and challenges faced by among 153 Universiti Utara Malaysia’s undergraduate students to start up their new ventures by building on Moy, et al.’s (2001) study. In doing so, this study contributes to the understanding of whether the students have high perception, which in turn, motivates them to become entrepreneurs. Besides that, the imminent possible obstacles and challenges faced by the students and the government support in promoting entrepreneurship are also examined in this study. Findings reveal that motivators such as extrinsic rewards and change management inspire them to start up a new venture whilst government support/assistance plays a significant role in promoting entrepreneurship. By contrast, obstacle and challenge such as endogenous factor (financial and operational problems) seemingly impedes their effort to launch a new venture. It is also revealed that gender and birth order affect one’s entrepreneurial intention significantly. However, surprisingly, no difference was found in working experiences with one’s entrepreneurial intention. Recommendations and future research are made based on the findings of the study.

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