Exploring success and failure factors among street coffee entrepreneurs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Nur Aqiellah Zulkifli; Nor Haninah Ab Ghani

doi:10.61688/jev.v6i1.247

Authors

Nur Aqiellah Zulkifli Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia
Nor Haninah Ab Ghani Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61688/jev.v6i1.247

Keywords:

Kuala Lumpur, Qualitative Method, Entrepreneurship

Abstract

This abstract explores the factors that contribute to the success and failure of entrepreneurs within this sector. Utilizing qualitative research methods, including interviews and observations, data were gathered from street food entrepreneurs operating in Malaysia's coffee sector. Using a qualitative method by interview approach, data was collected from the entrepreneurs to assess their roles, challenges and suggestion to their business. Conversely, several factors contributed to failures within the street food entrepreneurship realm to lack of business planning. Other than that, inadequate financial management also part of the failures. Mismanagement of finances, including poor budgeting and cash flow management, resulted in financial strain and eventual closure for some businesses. Intense competition within the coffee sector, coupled with market saturation in certain areas, made it challenging for some entrepreneurs to sustain profitability. This abstract highlights the complex interplay of factors influencing success and failure among street food entrepreneurs in Malaysia's coffee sector.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmad, N. H., & Seet, P. S. (2009). Dissecting behaviours associated with business failure: A qualitative study of SME owners in Malaysia and Australia. Asian Social Science, 5(9), 98–104. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v5n9p98

Al Mamun, A., Kumar, N., Ibrahim, M. D., & Yusoff, M. N. H. B. (2018). Validating the measurement of entrepreneurial orientation. Economics and Sociology, 11(4), 51–66. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2018/11-4/4

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2023). Economic performance and SMEs statistics in Malaysia. https://www.dosm.gov.my

Euromonitor International. (2023). Consumer foodservice in Malaysia. https://www.euromonitor.com

Hassan, H., Sade, A. B., & Rahman, M. S. (2021). Customer satisfaction and service quality towards café business sustainability in Malaysia. Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 24(5), 567–585. https://doi.org/10.1080/15378020.2021.1883217

Hashim, N. A., Raza, S., & Minai, M. S. (2020). Relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and small firm performance in Malaysia. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 24(3), 1–12.

Kim, H., & Chen, L. (2023). Sustainability practices, brand image, and customer loyalty in coffee businesses. Journal of Sustainable Business and Management, 12(3), 145–160.

Kim, J., & Zhong, Y. (2021). Digital technology adoption in the food service industry: Effects on customer experience and operational efficiency. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 94, 102847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102847

Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing management (15th ed.). Pearson Education.

Lee, S., & Kim, D. (2022). Operational efficiency and profitability in food service businesses: The role of inventory and supplier management. Journal of Foodservice Management, 28(2), 77–91.

Lee, S., Lee, K. S., Chua, B. L., & Han, H. (2017). Independent café entrepreneurships in Klang Valley, Malaysia: Challenges and critical factors for success: Does family matter? Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 6(4), 363–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2016.03.002

Minichiello, V., Aroni, R., Timewell, E., & Alexander, L. (1995). In-depth interviewing: Principles, techniques, analysis (2nd ed.). Longman.

Mohamud, S. S., Khalifa, G. S., Abuelhassan, A. E., & Kaliyamoorthy, S. (2017). Investigating the antecedents of coffee shop customers behavioral intentions in Kuala Lumpur. International Journal on Recent Trends in Business and Tourism (IJRTBT), 1(4), 1–14.

Nguyen, T., Brown, K., & Lim, J. (2023). Branding strategies and customer loyalty in urban coffee businesses. Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, 15(1), 55–70.

Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Peluso, M. (2023). Navigating the coffee business landscape: Challenges and adaptation strategies in a changing world. In Proceedings (Vol. 89, No. 1, p. 22). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2023089022

Ponte, S. (2004). Standards and sustainability in the coffee sector. International Institute for Sustainable Development. http://www.iisd.org

Samoggia, A., & Riedel, B. (2020). Consumers’ perceptions of coffee health benefits and motives for coffee consumption and purchasing. Nutrients, 12(3), 653. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12030653

Schönweger, O., & Messerli, P. (2015). Land acquisition, investment, and development in the Lao coffee sector: Successes and failures. Critical Asian Studies, 47(1), 94–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/14672715.2015.997095

SME Corporation Malaysia. (2022). SME annual report 2021/2022. https://www.smecorp.gov.my

Specialty Coffee Association. (2021). Specialty coffee transaction guide. https://sca.coffee

Statista. (2023). Coffee market revenue in Malaysia. https://www.statista.com

Thomas, A. J., Chris, O. S. H., & Ramasamy, R. (2021). Influence factors of customer satisfaction in coffee industry in Klang Valley. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Review, 6(2), 120–144.

Wilkinson, J. S. (2015). Exploring the successful skills of small business owners in Arizona’s coffee industry (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies.