Minority business networks: social capital & Malay entrepreneurship

Abstract

Studies on the nature of social capital among ethnic minority entrepreneurs, especially in a Singaporean context, remain largely scarce. This paper draws on existing theories on social capital and explores how it shapes the entrepreneurial experiences of Singaporean Malay business owners. Additionally, it also aims to find out how Malay business owners cultivate or grow their entrepreneurial social capital as minorities. Through semi-structured interviews, this study found that cultural context plays a significant role in shaping whether the capital of Malay business owners can either enable or impede their entrepreneurial success. Additionally, it uncovered the deliberate strategies used by Malay business owners to access and widen their social capital. This study contributes to literature on Malay entrepreneurship in Singapore by providing insights into how social capital influences their business trajectory.