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International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Intellectual Capital and Bumiputera SME Performance: A Methodological Triangulation

Sakinah Mat Zin, Ahmad Azrin Adnan, Rosfatihah Che Mat

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i3/12213

Open access

Most human resource management (HRM) researchers adopt the positivism research philosophy; thus, they choose quantitative approach. However, there are also calls for research to employ qualitative methodologies. Methodological triangulation using quantitative and qualitative methodologies provides multidimensional insights into many HRM research problems. This study used triangulation method in which two data collection phases were incorporated, specifically by combining quantitative and qualitative methods. In quantitative approach, the data of 327 Bumiputera SME entrepreneurs, selected by proportionate stratified sampling method, were analysed using PLS-SEM. The qualitative results were obtained from interview sessions using NVivo. The results provided support to SME entrepreneurs to understand the effects of intellectual capital on business performance and facilitate them in making the right decision. For the interview session, three entrepreneurs (regarded as the key informants) provided a deeper understanding on how intellectual capital influences SME business performance. This study demonstrated that intellectual capital elements (human capital and organizational capital) directly affect the business performance of Bumiputera SME entrepreneurs. All in all, the results of this study contributed significantly to the development and success of Bumiputera SME business performance either from theoretical or empirical aspects.