SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE OF INFORMAL MUMPRENEURS FROM LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES: THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS

Authors

  • Nurul Hidayana Mohd Noor Faculty of Administrative Science & Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Azizan Zainuddin Faculty of Administrative Science & Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Ibraheem Saleh Al Koliby Department of Marketing and Production, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen
  • Mohammed A. Al-Hakimi Department of Management, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.14352.2026

Keywords:

government support, low-income group, mumpreneurs, psychological dimensions, sustainable performance

Abstract

A mumpreneur in the informal economy is a mother who creates a business venture, primarily operates an unregistered small-scale business, and is frequently from low-income groups, motivated by encouragement and assistance from numerous institutional bodies. This study examines the effect of governmental support and psychological dimensions (i.e., locus of control, risk-taking propensity, and proactiveness) on the sustainable performance of mumpreneurs in Malaysia. This quantitative study used the survey method involving 358 mumpreneurs from four states in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pulau Pinang, and Negeri Sembilan. This study employed the structural equation modelling (SEM) statistical test, and the data were processed using the Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS). The results revealed the direct effect of governmental support and psychological dimensions on mumpreneurs’ sustainable performance. Subsequently, the mediation test revealed that all psychological dimensions mediate the relationship between government support and sustainable performance. This study successfully proved that the sustainable performance of mumpreneurs is influenced by the dual role of government support and the entrepreneur factor. Therefore, strengthening entrepreneurs’ internal capacity and implementing gender-inclusive, comprehensive policies can empower mumpreneurs and, in turn, contribute to local economic development.

Author Biography

Mohammed A. Al-Hakimi, Department of Management, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

A mumpreneur in the informal economy is a mother who creates a business venture, primarily operates an unregistered small-scale business, and is frequently from low-income groups, motivated by encouragement and assistance from numerous institutional bodies. This study examines the effect of governmental support and psychological dimensions (i.e., locus of control, risk-taking propensity, and proactiveness) on the sustainable performance of mumpreneurs in Malaysia. This quantitative study used the survey method involving 358 mumpreneurs from four states in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pulau Pinang, and Negeri Sembilan. This study employed the structural equation modelling (SEM) statistical test, and the data were processed using the Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS). The results revealed the direct effect of governmental support and psychological dimensions on mumpreneurs’ sustainable performance. Subsequently, the mediation test revealed that all psychological dimensions mediate the relationship between government support and sustainable performance. This study successfully proved that the sustainable performance of mumpreneurs is influenced by the dual role of government support and the entrepreneur factor. Therefore, strengthening entrepreneurs’ internal capacity and implementing gender-inclusive, comprehensive policies can empower mumpreneurs and, in turn, contribute to local economic development.

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Published

2026-09-21

How to Cite

Nurul Hidayana Mohd Noor, Azizan Zainuddin, Ibraheem Saleh Al Koliby, & Mohammed A. Al-Hakimi. (2026). SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE OF INFORMAL MUMPRENEURS FROM LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES: THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS. International Journal of Business and Society, 27(2), 580–599. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.14352.2026