International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT) ISSN: 2249 – 8958, Volume-8 Issue-5C, May 2019 108 Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering & Sciences Publication Retrieval Number:E10150585C19/2019©BEIESP DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.E1015.0585C19 Abstract: The number of women venturing into business is increasing. There are numerous factors at play for why women are starting to assert themselves in business. The study aims to explore the motivating factors of women venturing into business in Malaysia. Survey questionnaires were collected from 150 women business owner using convenience sampling. Descriptive analysis and factor analysis were employed in analyzing the data. Findings revealed the most critical factor motivating these women to venture into business was for them to be able to pass on the business to the next successor. Venturing into business for fun was found to be the least important factors. Motivation factors were factor analyzed to determine the main groupings of variables that lead women entrepreneurs to venture into business. Factor analysis conducted led motivation factors into two main factors; Business Achievements and Individual/Personal & Family Influence. This study will help improve strategy for women entrepreneurs to start business. Index Terms: Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Motivation Facto, Women Entrepreneur. I. INTRODUCTION Many nations have recognized entrepreneurship among the important factors of economic growth, productivity, innovation and employment. The importance of entrepreneurship is undeniable since entrepreneurship is the backbone of many developing and developed countries [1]. Women’s involvement in employment is crucial to move a country from developing to a developed one [2]. Entrepreneurship development has added much momentum as it brings economic growth, social stability, and employment opportunity as well as eradicates poverty [3]. There is no doubt entrepreneurship requires equal participation and opportunities to both men and women. However, there exists differences between these two groups when it comes into business [4]. Alam & Jani [5] argued the growth of women venturing into business is still significantly lower compered to men. Businesses owned by women was not given same opportunities since entrepreneurship are always associated with men [6]. It was further emphasized that women entrepreneurs tend to view businesses differently with male entrepreneurs [7]. Revised Manuscript Received on April 19, 2019. Azlin Shafinaz Arshad, senior lecturer , Malaysian Academy of SME & Entrepreneurship Development (MASMED), Universiti of Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor, Malaysia Afiza Azura Arshad, Senior Lecturer, Economics at Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia. Marziah Mokhtar, Senior Lecturer, Centre of Foundation Studies (CFS), Universiti of Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor, Malaysia Arlinah Abdul Rashid, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia Women contribution toward a country’s development has also been acknowledged worldwide [8, 9]. Accordingly, the number of women becoming entrepreneur has improved from year to year [10, 11]. Nevertheless, the percentage of women entrepreneurs according to countries ranges between 1% to 40% depending on economic development of a country. Many studies on women entrepreneurs have been conducted all over the world [12-16]. Nevertheless, studies on women entrepreneurs in Malaysia especially in identifying their motives to start a business are still limited and inadequate [5, 8, 17]. Thus, the present study tries to fill the gap by conducting study on women entrepreneurs which focusses on motivation factors. II. LITERATURE REVIEW Women today are not restricted living in the traditional way since the number of women involved in business are huge and many of them are said to be success [18]. Ademokun and Ajayi [19] explained woman entrepreneur is the one heading and initiating the business enterprise while Goyal and Parkash [20] claimed women entrepreneur is referred to woman, who develop, manage and operate a business venture. Contribution of women entrepreneur towards a country’s development and growth is undeniable [18]. Involvement of women in nations’ employment is crucial in transforming a country to developed country from developing country [2]. There are numerous reasons why women involved in business. Factors such as determination, moral support, capability, confidence, affluence, freedom, hardworking [21]. Psychological motives which comprise of self- satisfaction, independence and availability of financing are the main factors motivate women involved in business [22]. In another study by Raman, Anantharaman [23] the determinants of women entrepreneur that motivates them are grouped into economic, work, social, individual and entrepreneurial factors. Women entrepreneur is motivated strongly by factors such as the need of having power, ability to make logical and wise decision and they want to change [24]. Social and cultural factors, economic factors and legal and administrative factors are the drivers motivating women involved in business [18]. Profit, technical skill possessed, Women Entrepreneurs In Malaysia: What Drives Them Venturing Into Business Azlin Shafinaz Arshad, Afiza Azura Arshad, Marziah Mokhtar, Arlinah Abdul Rashid