KEUSAHAWANAN MAMPAN MELALUI PROSES PEMERKASAAN SOSIOEKONOMI DALAM KALANGAN USAHAWAN BIMBINGAN PROGRAM 2 YEARS EXIT PROGRAMME YANG BERJAYA DI NEGERI SEMBILAN, MALAYSIA

Abstract

One way to eradicate poverty is through the implementation of an entrepreneurial empowerment program. In this regard, various entrepreneurial empowerment initiatives have been undertaken by the government and the private sector to strengthen the socioeconomic status of the poor and marginalized. However, overall, the percentage of survival rates of Small and Medium Enterprises entrepreneurs is low. The Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (JKMM) also helped in improving the standard of living of productive recipients through the Socioeconomic Empowerment Program, the 2 Years Exit Programme (2YEP). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore how the guided entrepreneurs in the 2YEP Programme achieved long-term sustainability. Through in-depth interviewing, non-participant observation, document analysis and theme analysis, the study found four main themes that answered the research question: Efficient Management System; Efficient Living; Entrepreneurial Characteristics; and Using Social Capital. Based on these findings, the study recommends that future studies be conducted through different methods and theories as well as comparing with other entrepreneurial development programs. In addition, it is recommended that providers of community education and entrepreneurship development programs such as JKMM, funding agencies, state governments and spiritual institutions maintain regular monitoring relationships in maintaining and strengthening entrepreneurs' guidance towards long-term sustainability.