Small scale entrepreneurs' perceptions of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) entrepreneurial programs

• Main Authors: Khalid, Mohamad Sukeri, Ahmad, Abd Halim, Mohamed, Ahmad Martadha, Sakdan, Mohd Fo'ad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Engineering and Technology Publishing 2020
• Subjects: HD Industries. Land use. Labor
• Online Access: https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/28686/1/Small%20Scale%20Entrepreneurs%27%20Perceptions%20Of%20Langkawi.pdf; https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/28686/; http://www.joams.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=80
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

Tourism is one of the sectors that contribute to the development of the country and the government has decided to develop Langkawi as an international tourist destination. To realize this intention, the government established Langkawi Authority Development (LADA) on March 15, 1990 to develop Langkawi. LADA develops Langkawi based on four core areas namely infrastructure, tourism products, promotion and community development. One of the important aspects of community development is developing entrepreneurship among the locals. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify the perception of small scale entrepreneurs towards entrepreneurship programs undertaken by LADA whether LADA was seen as actively engaged in entrepreneurship programs that could encourage small entrepreneurs to succeed in their business. This study employed a mixed method approach whereby data was collected through a survey and semi structured interviews. The survey respondents were Langkawi small entrepreneurs comprising various small industries which were divided into two (2) main groups namely tourism-oriented and nontourism entrepreneurs. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed and 280 questionnaires returned. Semi structured interviews were also conducted with three (3) respondents involving a LADA Officer, the Chairman of Langkawi Homestay Association and the Chairman of Langkawi Small Traders. Based on the descriptive analysis used, majority of the respondents claimed that LADA’s entrepreneurial activities were not effective in driving their intent to succeed in the business. But the findings based on the elite interview and the statistical support in the 2015 LADA Annual Report proved that LADA has been helping the local entrepreneurs. However, LADA needs to make improvements in organizing entrepreneurial programs to enable small entrepreneurs to benefit more.