International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

search-icon

Entrepreneurial Human Capital as a Predictor of Student Competitiveness: Insights from Malaysian Universities

Open access
Graduate unemployment and underemployment remain pressing concerns in Malaysia. Despite government efforts to embed entrepreneurship education in university curricula, graduates still struggle to stand out in a competitive job market. This study examines whether entrepreneurial human capital predicts student competitiveness among Malaysian undergraduates. It also assesses the current levels of entrepreneurial human capital and student competitiveness. A quantitative survey was conducted with 426 students from ten public and private universities using stratified random sampling. The findings show students possess a moderate-high level of entrepreneurial human capital (M = 3.842, SD = 0.475) and student competitiveness (M = 3.878, SD = 0.491). A significant positive relationship exists between entrepreneurial human capital and student competitiveness (r = 0.658, p < 0.001). Regression analysis shows entrepreneurial human capital predicts student competitiveness, explaining 43.3% of its variance. These findings suggest strengthening practical entrepreneurial skills in university curricula could help produce more competitive graduates. The study extends the Resource-Based View theory to the individual level and offers practical insights for policymakers and university administrators.
Abd Majid, M. Z., Hussin, M., Norman, M. H., & Kasavan, S. (2020). The employability skills among students of Public Higher Education Institution in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.17576/geo-2020-1601-04
Akhmetshin, E. M., Larionova, G. N., Lukiyanchina, E. V., Savitskaya, Y., Aleshko, R. A., & Aleynikova, O. S. (2019). The Influence of Educational Environment on the Development of Entrepreneurial Skills and Competencies in Students. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 22.
Ambreen, F., Fatima, A., Khan, S., Anum, T., & Khilji, I. (2025). The competitive mind: Impact of competitiveness on mental health. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 3(4), 734-746.
Aybek, E. C., & Toraman, C. (2022). How many response categories are sufficient for Likert type scales? An empirical study based on the Item Response Theory. International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 9(2), 534–547. https://doi.org/10.21449/ijate.1132931
Bacigalupo, M., Brande, G. V. d., Kampylis, P., & Punie, Y. (2016). EntreComp: The Entrepreneurship Competence Framework. https://doi.org/10.2791/160811
Barney, J. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Bartlett, J.E., Kotrlik, J.W. and Higgins, C.C. (2001). Organizational Research: Determining Appropriate Sample Size in Survey Research. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 19, 43-50.
Baumann, C., & Harvey, M. (2021). What is unique about high performing students? Exploring personality, motivation and competitiveness. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 46(8), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2020.1870930
Becker, G.S. (1993). Human capital: a theoretical and empirical analysis with special reference to education. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
BERNAMA. (2025). ASEAN Terap Pelan Ekonomi Padu Untuk Anjakan Ke Arah Pasaran Tunggal. BERNAMA. https://bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=2427554
Chan, J. I. L., & Muthuveloo, R. (2020). Critical factors for optimisation of performance: the private higher education context in Malaysia. International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 13(4), 438. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijasm.2020.112342
Chen, X., Salwana Alias, B., & Bin Mohd Nor, M. Y. (2025). Research on Employability Enhancing Strategies for Students in Ordinary Undergraduate Colleges and Universities. Salud, Ciencia Y Tecnología - Serie de Conferencias, 4, 1270. https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251270
Cheok, C. K. (2024). Higher Education in Malaysia. International Perspectives on Education and Society, 49–65. https://doi.org/10.1108/s1479-367920240000049005
Chua, Y. P. (2014). Kaedah dan statistik penyelidikan: Asas statistik penyelidikan (Edisi Ketiga). McGraw Hill Education (Malaysia)
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education (6th ed.). Routledge.
Creswell, J. W. (2021). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research, global edition. (6th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
DOSM. (2025). STATISTIK SISWAZAH 2024. https://www.dosm.gov.my/uploads/release-content/file_20251031111142.pdf
Ehrlich, I., Li, D. & Liu, Z. (2017). The Role of Entrepreneurial Human Capital as a Driver of Endogenous Economic Growth. Journal of Human Capital 11(3): 310–351.
Figueiredo, H., Biscaia, R., Rocha, V., & Teixeira, P. (2015). Should we start worrying? Mass higher education, skill demand and the increasingly complex landscape of young graduates’ employment. Studies in Higher Education, 42(8), 1401–1420. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1101754
Finch, D. J., Peacock, M., Levallet, N., & Foster, W. (2016). A dynamic capabilities view of employability. Education + Training, 58(1), 61–81. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-02-2015-0013
Ghouse, S. M., Barber III, D., & Alipour, K. (2024). Shaping the future Entrepreneurs: Influence of human capital and self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intentions of rural students. The International Journal of Management Education, 22(3), 101035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2024.101035
Gong, Z., Wang, H., Zhong, M., & Shao, Y. (2023). College students’ learning stress, psychological resilience and learning burnout: Status quo and coping strategies. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04783-z
Haddoud, M. Y., Nowi?ski, W., Laouiti, R., & Onjewu, A.-K. E. (2024). Entrepreneurial implementation intention: The role of psychological capital and entrepreneurship education. International Journal of Management Education, 22(2), 100982–100982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2024.100982
Harun, M. I., & Faridah, N. A. (2025). Identifying Core Determinants of Employability among USIM Graduates. Emerging Frontiers Library for The American Journal of Management and Economics Innovations, 7(10), 01-07
Houston, J. M., Harris, P. B., & Patrick, S. (2023). Revised Competitiveness Index (CI-R). In Springer eBooks (pp. 1–20). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89738-3_30-1
Houston, J., Harris, P., McIntire, S., & Francis, D. (2002). Revising the Competitiveness Index Using Factor Analysis. Psychological Reports, 90(1), 31–34. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.2002.90.1.31
Iqbal, J., Asghar, M. Z., Asghar, A., & Waqar, Y. (2022). Impact of entrepreneurial curriculum on entrepreneurial competencies among students: The mediating role of the campus learning environment in higher education. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 950440.
Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT). (2021). Memartabatkan Keusahawanan Dalam Memperkasakan Negara. https://www.mohe.gov.my/en/download/publications-journals-and-reports/ptk-ipt/2021-2025/521-ptk-ipt-2021-2025-bm/file
Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT). (2025). Laporan Statistik Pendidikan Tinggi 2024. Mohe.gov.my. https://www.mohe.gov.my/muat-turun/statistik/2024-4/1702-bab-1-makro-2024-update-pdf/file
Khilji, G., & Jogezai, N. (2024). Steps to Prepare Bilingual Data for Analysis: A Methodological Approach. The Qualitative Report, 29(4), 1037–1049. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.6035
Kimberlin, C. L., & Winterstein, A. G. (2008). Validity and Reliability of Measurement Instruments Used in Research. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 65(23), 2276–2284. https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp070364
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610.
Krieger, A., Stuetzer, M., Obschonka, M., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2021). The growth of entrepreneurial human capital: origins and development of skill variety. Small Business Economics, 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00555-9
Krskova, H., Baumann, C., & Breyer, Y. A. (2024). Shaping individual competitiveness: the role of discipline, parental expectations, and participation in extracurricular activities. Heliyon, 10(10), e31042–e31042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31042
Li, G., Long, Z., Jiang, Y., Huang, Y., Wang, P., & Huang, Z. (2022). Entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship policy and entrepreneurial competence: mediating effect of entrepreneurship competition in China. Education + Training, 65(4). https://doi.org/10.1108/et-06-2021-0218
Linton, J. D., & Xu, W. (2020). Research on science and technological entrepreneurship education: What needs to happen next? The Journal of Technology Transfer, 46(2), 393–406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-020-09786-6
Lokman, N. H., & Yakob, N. A. (2023). Niat Keusahawanan dalam kalangan Pelajar Baharu di Universiti Awam Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 8(2), e002135. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v8i2.2135.
Ma’dan, M., Ismail, M. T., & Daud, S. (2020a). Influence of Competitiveness Factor towards Graduate Competency Level. Asian Journal of University Education, 16(3), 292. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v16i3.8378
Ma’dan, M., Ismail, M. T., & Daud, S. (2020b). Strategies To Enhance Graduate Employability: Insights From Malaysian Public University Policy-Makers. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 17(2), 137–165. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2020.17.2.5
Mainga, W., Daniel, R. M., & Alamil, L. (2022). Perceptions of Employability Skills of Undergraduate Business Students in a Developing Country: An Exploratory Study. Higher Learning Research Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.18870/hlrc.2022.v12i1.1257
Malik, S. Y., Cao, Y., Mughal, Y. H., Kundi, G. M., Mughal, M. H., & Ramayah, T. (2020). Pathways Towards Sustainability in Organizations: Empirical Evidence on the Role of Green Human Resource Management Practices and Green Intellectual Capital. Sustainability, 12(8), 3228. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083228
Manríquez, M. R., Rendón, L. P., de la Cruz del rio Rama, M., & Fernández, M. D. S. (2022). Entrepreneurship and technological innovation: The micro-entrepreneur in Mexico. Contaduría Y Administración, 67(3), 341–341. https://doi.org/10.22201/fca.24488410e.2022.4561
Mlotshwa, S. H., Ebewo, P., & Ndlovu, E. (2025). Empowering the next generation: the influence of self-efficacy on entrepreneurial motivation and behavior among African students. International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), 7(2), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.36096/ijbes.v7i2.744
Muthukrishnan, U., & Bhattacharyya, S. S. (2024). Can women empowerment contribute to sustainable growth – examining the enablers for social enterprise performance of women social entrepreneurs in India. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoes-09-2023-0211
Nunnally, J., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric Theory. McGraw-Hill.
Ogbari, M. E. (2023). Exploring the influence of entrepreneurial abilities on graduates' risk-taking readiness. Journal of Entrepreneurial and Business Diversity, 1(2), 63-76.
Oghojafor, B. (2025). Entrepreneurship Education And Elimination Of Unemployement Among Graduates And Non-Graduates Of Tertiary Institutions In Nigeria. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5287673
Olaseni, V. M. (2025). Entrepreneurship Education in Tertiary Institutions as Tool for Reducing Unemployment. Journal of Ecohumanism, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v4i4.6758
Orosz, G., Tóth-Király, I., Büki, N., Ivaskevics, K., B?the, B., & Fülöp, M. (2018). The Four Faces of Competition: The Development of the Multidimensional Competitive Orientation Inventory. Frontiers in Psychology, *9*(779). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00779
Ortiz, A. F., Ortega, S. A., & Santos, A. R. (2025). Human Capital and Business Success: Perspectives from Emerging Business Professionals. Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review, *5*(3), e04121. https://doi.org/10.47172/2965-730x.sdgsreview.v5.n03.pe04121
Othman, N., Khasbullah, K. K., & Ab Wahid, H. (2015). Tahap daya saing pelajar institusi pengajian tinggi di Semenanjung Malaysia. Jurnal Pendidikan Malaysia, 40(2), 139-149.
Othman, N. H., Othman, N., & Juhdi, N. H. (2022). Does Entrepreneurship Education Affect Pre-start-up Behavior in Malaysia? A Multi-Group Analysis Approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.738729
Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS (7th ed.). London Koganpage Ann Arbour, Michigan Proquest.
Ployhart, R. E. (2021). Resources for what? Understanding performance in the resource-based view and strategic human capital resource literatures. Journal of Management, 47(7), 014920632110031. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063211003137
Salamzadeh, Y., Sangosanya, T. A., Salamzadeh, A., & Braga, V. (2022). Entrepreneurial universities and social capital: The moderating role of entrepreneurial intention in the Malaysian context. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(1), 100609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100609
Scrimieri, C., Patrizi, M., & Pastore, A. (2024). What employers want: The “must-have” soft skills for entering the labor market. Sinergie Italian Journal of Management, 42(2), 185–206. https://doi.org/10.7433/s124.2024.09
Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R. (2016). Research Methods for Business: A Skill-Building Approach. 7th Edition, Wiley & Sons, West Sussex.
Shrestha, N. (2021). Factor Analysis as a Tool for Survey Analysis. American Journal of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, 9(1), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.12691/ajams-9-1-2
Sinar Harian. (2025, December 19). Krisis pengangguran graduan: Cabaran serius masa depan anak muda Malaysia | Sinar Bestari. Sinar Bestari. https://sinarbestari.sinarharian.com.my/my-ipt/karya-kampus/krisis-pengangguran-graduan-cabaran-serius-masa-depan-anak-muda-malaysia
Susilaningsih, Siswandari, & Muhammad Suyanto. (2022). Exploring the Factors Determining the Success of Entrepreneurship Education Program: Case of Indonesia. MOJEM: Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Management, 10(3), 1-17. https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/MOJEM/article/view/37793
Taber, K. S. (2018). The Use of Cronbach’s Alpha When Developing and Reporting Research Instruments in Science Education. Research in Science Education, 48(6), 1273–1296.
Wang, F., Sahid, S., Radin A Rahman, R. S. A., Li, Z., & Wang, J. (2025). Exploring the determinants of entrepreneurial behavior among students in Chinese vocational colleges: A mediated and moderated model. The International Journal of Management Education, 23, 101290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101290
Wang, X.-H., You, X., Wang, H.-P., Wang, B., Lai, W.-Y., & Su, N. (2023). The Effect of Entrepreneurship Education on Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediation of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Moderating Model of Psychological Capital. Sustainability, 15(3), 2562. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032562
Wu, L., Purwaningrum, E. K., Ho, Y. M., Prihadi, K. D., Cheng, C., & Qian, K. (2024). Students’ competitiveness: motivation or fear? Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 19(2), 864–871. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i2.20906
Razali, H., & Rahman, R. S. A. R. A. (2026). Entrepreneurial Human Capital as a Predictor of Student Competitiveness: Insights from Malaysian Universities. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 15(3), 1208–1222.