Scheduling Research Activities using Gantt Chart

The provided content is an assignment that outlines a research study to be conducted on entrepreneurship. The study will involve various research activities, including literature review, methodology design, data collection and analysis, and presentation of findings in a research report. The study aims to investigate the strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The researcher will follow a systematic and sequential approach from June to November, with initial steps involving literature review and methodology design, followed by data collection and analysis, and finally the presentation of results.

Running Head: Leadership in Business
IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHARACTERISTICS ON BUSINESS SUCCESS MEDIATED BY RISK
TAKING BEHAVIOR IN MALAYSIA

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Leadership in Business
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
1.1 Research Aim...................................................................................................................3
1.2 Research Objectives.........................................................................................................3
1.3 Research Questions..........................................................................................................3
2.0 Literature Review.................................................................................................................4
2.1 Review of Key concepts...................................................................................................4
2.1.1 Entrepreneurship Characteristics..............................................................................4
2.1.2 Business Success.......................................................................................................5
2.1.3 Risk-Taking Behavior...............................................................................................5
2.2 Critical Review of Entrepreneurship Models and theories..............................................7
2.2.1 The Enabler Theory of Entrepreneurship..................................................................7
2.2.2 The Producer Theory of Entrepreneurship................................................................7
2.2.3 Summary of Entrepreneurship Models.....................................................................7
2.3 Empirical Studies.............................................................................................................9
2.4 Literature Gap..................................................................................................................9
2.5 Conceptual Framework..................................................................................................10
3.0 Methodology......................................................................................................................10
3.1 Research Paradigm.........................................................................................................10
3.2 Research Design.............................................................................................................11
3.3 Data Collection Method.................................................................................................12

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3.4 Data Instrument..............................................................................................................12
3.5 Target Population...........................................................................................................12
3.6 Sample size/ Sampling Method......................................................................................13
3.7 Ethical Issues and accessibility......................................................................................13
3.9 Limitation...........................................................................................................................14
4.0 Gantt Chart.........................................................................................................................14
5.0 References..........................................................................................................................15

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1.0 Introduction
The proposed study will be conducted on the analysis of the impact of entrepreneurship
characteristics on business success mediated by risk-taking behavior in Malaysia. The
research proposal highlights the major areas which will be accomplished in the intended
study.
1.1 Research Aim
The main of the intended study is to analyze the major impact of entrepreneurship
characteristics on business success mediated risk-taking behavior in Malaysia. In the
proposed research study, entrepreneurship characteristics are the independent variable
whereas, business success is the dependent variable which is mediated by risk-taking
behavior to the context of Malaysia.
1.2 Research Objectives
The research objectives which will be achieved in the intended study are the following:
 To analyze the impacts of entrepreneurship characteristics on business success.
 To identify and examine the impacts of entrepreneurship characteristics on risk-taking
behavior.
 To examine the impacts of risk-taking behavior on business success.
 To examine the mediating role of risk-taking behavior on the relationship between
entrepreneurship characteristics and business success.
1.3 Research Questions
The research questions which will be answered by the intended research are the following:
 What is the impact of entrepreneurship characteristics on business success?

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 What is the impact of impacts of entrepreneurship characteristics on risk-taking
behavior?
 What is the impact of risk-taking behavior on business success?
 What is the mediating role of risk-taking behavior on the relationship between
entrepreneurship characteristics and business success?
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Review of Key concepts
2.1.1 Entrepreneurship Characteristics
According to Daisyme (2015), an entrepreneur is a person who has some special
characteristics. The entrepreneurs have the trait of self-motivation. An entrepreneur achieves
success by his or her self-motivation trait. It is very important for an individual to understand
what he or she is going to offer to the customers in the market and entrepreneur has a clear
understanding on the offering which he or she is dedicating into the market. One of the most
important characteristics of an entrepreneur is the risk-taking behavior of entrepreneur. Every
entrepreneur can become successful if he or she has the capacity and capability of taking
risks entrepreneurship is all about knowing the best ways to networking. It is one of the
drivers of success in the case of an entrepreneur, networking opportunities are needed to be
identified and organized. It is done in an effective way by a successful entrepreneur.
Management of different skills and knowledge is another important characteristic of a
successful entrepreneur. In order to become successful, an entrepreneur needs to be highly
effective in managing monetary resources and other resources such as skills and knowledge.
Flexibility is again another important and significant characteristic of a successful
entrepreneur. It is very important to identify the changes in the business environment which

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are indispensable and have to be adopted so as to become successful in the long run. In case
of problem-solving, the role of flexibility is highly crucial. A flexible entrepreneur can easily
identify unique solutions to different issues. An entrepreneur can never become successful if
he or she is not passionate. It is the passion which motivates an entrepreneur to become
successful (Daisyme, 2015).
2.1.2 Business Success
In the opinion of Toren (2015), it is the fundamental responsibility of the entrepreneurs to
achieve the ultimate success of the business. Business success is the main aim of every
entrepreneur. The big vision of the business needs to be focused and taken care of by the
entrepreneurs. It is very important for entrepreneurs to fulfill the vision of the business with
perseverance. In order to achieve the predetermined vision and mission of the business, an
entrepreneur makes an effective and flexible plan. The flexibility of the business plan is an
important aspect which ensures the changes in the business environment get incorporated in
achieving the bigger picture. The expertise of the entrepreneurs needs to be embraced so as to
achieve business success. Every entrepreneur has separate skill sets and that should be the
biggest strength of that entrepreneur. The business success can be achieved by proper
utilization of the resources of business and to make the business operations get channelized in
an effective way. Rational utilization of resources helps the entrepreneurs to achieve the
desired success of the business. The stable physical and mental health of the entrepreneurs
also helps them to remain focused on the achievement of the desired business success (Toren,
2015 ).
2.1.3 Risk-Taking Behavior
According to Wang and Poutziouris (2010), the risk-taking ability is crucial for an
entrepreneur in order to launch a business and ensure its successful continuity in the industry.
In the case of the family firms in the UK, risk-taking acumen of the entrepreneurs play a

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crucial role in the growth and development of the business. It has been revealed from the
study that the risk-taking propensity of the entrepreneur is dependent on several factors such
as the experience, age, the generation in control of the family business, etc. The study has
also revealed that there is a relationship between the risk-taking ability of the entrepreneur
and the performance of the business (Wang & Poutziouris, 2010).
In the observations of Macko and Tyszka (2009), entrepreneurs, in general, have risk-taking
abilities than other people. The study was conducted to determine the confidence and risk-
taking abilities of three groups of students acting as entrepreneurs. One group had no
intention of starting up a new business, The second group contained students that have
undergone some entrepreneurial courses for becoming successful entrepreneurs in future and
the third group consisted of students that have become successful entrepreneurs after
graduation. The findings revealed the maximum risk-taking capacity and self-confidence for
the students who were actual entrepreneurs and the least risk-taking ability and self-
confidence for the students that did not have any plans to start up their own businesses. The
study has hereby proved that risk-taking ability is a prerequisite for starting up an
entrepreneurial business (Macko & Tyszka, 2009).
In the view of DeMers (2014), an entrepreneur can become successful if he or she has the
risk-taking behavior. The entrepreneurs have to sacrifice personal capital to initiate business.
There can be several risks in conducting the business. They have to depend on the cash flows
which is highly stressful and difficult. The interests of the customers are predicted by the
entrepreneurs and there can be risks in respect to the acceptability of the offerings into the
market. The entrepreneur has to trust the key employees and if any employee does anything
wrong then the consequence is to be dealt with by the entrepreneurs. It is also quite difficult
for entrepreneurs to meet crucial deadlines. Time and other resources have to be allocated
rationally so as to achieve the desired objectives and goals (DeMers, 2014 ).

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2.2 Critical Review of Entrepreneurship Models and theories
2.2.1 The Enabler Theory of Entrepreneurship
In this form of corporate entrepreneurship, the entrepreneur offers the required funding and
the required attention from the senior personnel to the projects that are profitable. In this form
of entrepreneurship, the entrepreneur enables the employees to bring in new concepts by
offering adequate support to them. The resources are allocated and processes are undertaken
without any form of formal organizational ownership that helps the teams to strive for
achieving the organizational objectives with a certain degree of freedom and engagement but
within the strategic framework of the organization. As for example, Google, when it was
launched, assumed the form of the Enabler model of entrepreneurship (Wolcott & Lippitz,
2007).
2.2.2 The Producer Theory of Entrepreneurship
The Producer model of entrepreneurship represents a corporate entrepreneur that develops as
well as supports an entire service group having some mandatory protocols and principles to
observe in corporate entrepreneurship. In this form of entrepreneurship model, the
entrepreneur establishes and supports the development of formal organizations where
substantial funds are dedicated toward active influence involving business units. This model
helps in protecting the upcoming projects from competitive rivalry, enabling collaboration
across diverse units, creating disruptive businesses and develops career paths for executives
for professional success. IBM is an example of an organization that began its business
operations by following the Producer entrepreneurship model (Wolcott & Lippitz, 2007).

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2.2.3 Summary of Entrepreneurship Models
Theory/
Model
Assumptions Strength Weakness Source
The Enabler 1. Employees are
encouraged to
develop new
concepts.
2. Teams are
adequately
supported through
the dedication of
several resources
and processes.
1. Generation of
new concepts
and ideas
2. Supporting
teamwork
1. Excessive
liberty to
employees
might
backfire on
productivity
2. Expensive
and time-
consuming
(Wolcott &
Lippitz,
2007).
The Producer 1. The
formal
organizati
on is
establishe
d and
effectivel
y
supported
2. Funds are
effectivel
1. Protecting
the emerging
projects from
competitive
rivalry
2. Achieving
collaboration
across
several units
1. Problems in
managerial
decision-
making
related to the
selection of
new
concepts
2. It’s a
challenge to
integrate
(Wolcott &
Lippitz,
2007).

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y invested
in
business
units
various
projects
successfully
into the
established
business
units.
2.3 Empirical Studies
The study will be conducted with the aim of evaluating four hypotheses critically. These
hypotheses are given below:
H1: Entrepreneurship characteristics have a positive and significant impact on business
success.
H2: Entrepreneurship characteristics have a positive and significant impact on risk-taking
behavior.
H3: Risk-taking behavior has a positive and significant impact on business success.
H4: Risk-taking behavior has a mediating impact on the relationship between
entrepreneurship characteristics and business success.
2.4 Literature Gap
The literature review has been conducted on the basis of several reliable and relevant sources
of literature and resources. It has been observed that there have

Entrepreneurship Characteristics
Risk-Taking Behavior
Business Success
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2.5 Conceptual Framework
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Research Paradigm
The conceptual framework or the model or research which is used as an approach of
conducting research is the research paradigm (Atieno, 2009). There are mainly two types of
research paradigm such as positive paradigm or positivism and interpretivism or interpretivist
paradigm (Creswell, 2003). Phenomenological paradigm is also another approach
(DEVAULT, 2018). In the intended research, the researcher will be using positive paradigm
(Bhasin, 2016). Positive paradigm will be used as it will help the researcher to maintain
objectivity, predictability, measurability, controllability, and probability along with the norms
of control law (GuhaThakurta, 2015)These factors would be useful in analyzing the behaviors
of the humans (Kalpesh, 2013). The data which would be collected for the purpose of the
intended research could be quantified by the use of positivism and this would add more

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resource and meaning to the outcomes making them convenient for understanding (Patel,
2015). Positivism is based on the belief that the findings of the analysis could be generalized
irrespective of the situations and environment (Mora, 2010). This approach is also important
as it could be related to empirical hypothesis testing (Patel, 2015).
The researcher will not adopt interpretivism because it is highly subjective in nature. It is
based on relative factors. This approach results in a weak prediction (Savela, 2018). It does
not retain objectivity in the study (Kim, 2018). The phenomenological approach will not be
used because it is based on experiences with minimum regard for physical and external
reality (Creswell, 2003).
3.2 Research Design
Explanatory research will be considered for the intended research. It will help the researcher
to come up with illustrative and interpretive findings of the analysis which will be convenient
for understanding. The researcher would be using this method so as to avoid the limitations of
exploratory or descriptive research methods (Kivunja & Kuyini, 2017). Exploratory or
descriptive research methods will not be used because of the following reasons:
 The exploratory research method is an unstructured method of research where non-
probability sampling needs to be considered.
 There will be a pre-planned design for the analysis of the findings (Surbhi, 2016).
 In the case of descriptive research method, the researcher bias can be one of the major
threats to the ultimate outcome of the analysis.
 In the descriptive method, the participants might behave naturally or be truthful when
they have the knowledge of being observed (Nkazie, 2014).
 The descriptive method also lacks in confidentiality (McNabb, 2019).

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3.3 Data Collection Method
The data collection method is the technique through which the data important for the subject
matter of the study. In the intended research, the analysis will be done on the basis of primary
data. Primary data will be collected with the help of a survey (Sincero, 2013). The survey
would be conducted with the help of a questionnaire. The survey will be conducted on some
of the entrepreneurs of business organizations. The survey has been chosen for the collection
of primary data because of the following reasons:
 A survey is a less time-consuming method of collecting primary data (Rouse, 2018).
 It will help the researcher in obtaining authentic and reliable data (Wyse, 2011)
 The survey involves less time and cost (DeFranzo, 2012).
The interview will not be conducted because of its time-consuming nature and it also
involves high cost.
3.4 Data Instrument
Data instrument is the instrument which is used to collect the primary data. The primary data
will be collected from the responses of the survey. The survey will be conducted with the
help of close-ended questionnaires. The close-ended questionnaires will be structured with
the use of 5 Point-Likert Scale. The 5 Point-Likert Scale will be used so as to increase the
convenience of the participants of the survey to provide their responses from the multiple
choice questions. The researcher will not be using 7 Point-Likert Scale so that the participants
do not get confused from seven multiple options while providing their responses (Sugano,
2013).
3.5 Target Population
The target population is the section of the population having the desired criteria to suit the
research topic. The sample is the representative of the target population from which the

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primary data will be collected. In the intended study, the sample is the entrepreneurs of
business organizations. The primary data will be collected from the entrepreneurs of the
organizations (Chaudron & Carlier, 2014).
3.6 Sample size/ Sampling Method
The researcher will adopt convenient sampling initially as the entrepreneurs will be the best-
suited sample for the collection of the primary data (Crossman, 2018). The researcher will
contact some of the entrepreneurs on the basis of convenient sampling method and will select
some of the representatives randomly (Chaudron & Carlier, 2014). The researcher will seek
their permission so that they could participate in the survey on their consent and discretion.
The entrepreneurs will be surveyed with the help of close-ended questionnaires.
3.7 Ethical Issues and accessibility
The researcher will take care of the ethical aspects and will protect the confidentiality of the
respondents of the survey. The confidential and sensitive data and information about the
participants would be taken well care of by the researcher. The data protection law will be
abided by the researcher. The responses of the participants of the survey will be kept
protected from being misused by any third person. The researcher will also take care of the
access of the data by any unauthorized person. The data will only be used for the purpose of
the intended research and will not be used for any other purpose without the consent of the
participants. The ethical codes of research will be considered while conducting the entire
procedure of research. The researcher will have to abide by the data protection law norms.
The participants could never be forced to take part in the survey. The researcher will have to
seek permission from the participants before conducting the survey. The ethical codes of
research will have to be abided by the researcher. The participants will not be asked about
any sensitive issues.

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3.9 Limitation
The time and money are two important resources and these are limited to the researcher.
These resources have to be utilized rationally. There will be no refund of the monetary fund
which will be invested in conducting the research. The data collection method is also a
difficult task. The researcher might face difficulties in seeking permission from
entrepreneurs. The difficulties could not be predicted but the researcher would be able to
handle them with analytical skills and efficiency.
4.0 Gantt Chart
The research schedule has been presented with the help of the following Gantt chart:
May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov
Research activities
Literature Review
Research Design-Survey
Data Collection-Survey
Data Analysis
Writing Dissertation
Final Submission
The research activities will be conducted in a systematic and sequential manner. The research
will be initiated in the month of June. The literature review will be conducted initially. Then
the researcher will design the research methodology. The data collection procedures will be
conducted from July to August. The data analysis will be conducted from September to
November. The analyzed data and discussion will be presented in the research report. The
dissertation will be completed and submitted.

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5.0 References
Andale. (2015, june 26). Convenience Sampling (Accidental Sampling): Definition,
Examples. Retrieved from statisticshowto:
http://www.statisticshowto.com/convenience-sampling/
Atieno, O. P. (2009). AN ANALYSIS OF THE STRENGTHS AND LIMITATION OF
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH PARADIGMS. Problems of
education in the 21stcentury, 13, 13-17.
Bhasin, H. (2016, December 4). Research objectives. Retrieved from marketing91:
https://www.marketing91.com/research-objectives/
Chaudron, R., & Carlier, K. (2014, August 2). The Advantages of Random Sampling versus
Cutting-of-theTail: the Application of a Stratified Sample Design for the Collection of
Data on Special Financial Institutions in the Netherlands. The Advantages of Random
Sampling versus Cutting-of-theTail: the Application of a Stratified Sample Design for
the Collection of Data on Special Financial Institutions in the Netherlands, 1-11.
Retrieved from experian.
Creswell, J. W. (2003). RESEARCH DESIGN Qualitative, Quantitative. and Mixed Methods,
Approaches. Retrieved from isites.harvard:
https://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic1334586.files/2003_Creswell_A
%20Framework%20for%20Design.pdf
Crossman, A. (2018, April 16). Convenience Samples for Research. Retrieved from
thoughtco: https://www.thoughtco.com/convenience-sampling-3026726

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Daisyme, P. (2015, August 24). 7 CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL
ENTREPRENEURS. Retrieved from due: https://due.com/blog/7-characteristics-of-
successful-entrepreneurs/
DeMers, J. ( 2014 , October 13 ). 7 Risks Every Entrepreneur Must Take. Retrieved from
entrepreneur: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238319
DEVAULT, G. (2018, May 20). Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative Research.
Retrieved from thebalancesmb: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/quantitative-
research-advantages-and-disadvantages-2296728
GuhaThakurta, S. (2015, June 25). Understanding research philosophy. Retrieved from
projectguru: https://www.projectguru.in/publications/research-philosophy/
Kalpesh. (2013, June 5). Importance of Data Analysis in Research. Retrieved from
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in-research
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advan_disadvan

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Mora, M. (2010, March 16). Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Research: When to Use Which.
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https://www.surveygizmo.com/survey-blog/quantitative-qualitative-research/
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Patel, S. (2015). The research paradigm – methodology, epistemology and ontology –
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Rouse, M. (2018). survey research. Retrieved from techtarget:
https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/survey-research
Savela, T. (2018). The advantages and disadvantages of quantitative methods in schoolscape
research. Linguistics and Education Volume 44, 31-44.
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descriptive-research.html
Toren, M. (2015 , June 4). 8 Highly Effective Business Success Tips for Entrepreneurs.
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370-388.

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Wolcott, R. C., & Lippitz, M. J. (2007). The Four Models of Corporate Entrepreneurship.
Retrieved from https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-four-models-of-corporate-
entrepreneurship/
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quantitative-research/