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THE MOTIVATION OF ISLAMIC STUDIES’ STUDENTS TO BE

ENTREPRENEURS: A STUDY OF UNDERGRADUATE AND
POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

Yazilmiwati bt Yaacob
Senior Lecturer
Language and Compulsory Subject Centre
Sunway University
yazilmiwati@sunway.edu.my
yazilmiwati08@gmail.com

Dr Ilhaamie binti Abdul Ghani Azmi

Senior Lecturer
Department of Shariah and Management
Academy of Islamic Studies
Universiti Malaya
ilhaamie@yahoo.com

Abstract

The most obvious phenomenon in today's entrepreneurial world is controlled by non-

Muslim entrepreneurs. While Islam encourages its followers to become involved in
entrepreneurship just like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was originally involved in
the field of entrepreneurship before he became a prophet. His success in the field of
entrepreneurship as a corporate member of successful and highly influential business
community even at a very young age should be the motivation and encouragement to the
Muslims of today to participate in the “jihad business” (work hard and strive in business).
This is very crucial in order to develop the economy of the nation, religion and also
oneself. Thus, in an effort to make the field of entrepreneurship as a ‘Sunnah’ of the
Prophet, the involvement of religious graduates in the field of entrepreneurship is an
important step in the effort to Islamize the world of entrepreneurship from the Western
capitalist system which is not bounded by Islamic laws. This reality is the main thrust of
the motivation for other Muslims to adopt the culture of entrepreneurship in their life.

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Therefore, one of the objectives of this study is to determine the motivation of religious
students to be entrepreneurs. A pilot test was conducted on 60 of undergraduate and
postgraduate students who are currently enrolled in Islamic Studies program in a public
university. This study used SPSS 16 to determine the level of motivation in Islamic
Studies students towards entrepreneurs. The study found that the overall motivation
factor is 3.98. This shows that students in Islamic studies have a high motivation factor to
participate in entrepreneurship.

Keyword: entrepreneurship, Islamic studies’ students, motivation

a) Introduction

Entrepreneurship is one of the important missions in Islam. This is because Islam spreads
initially through entrepreneurial activities. As we all know that The Prophet of
Muhammad PBUH was a successful Muslim entrepreneur at his time. He was totally
against the elements of fraud and oppression and thus, resulted in his businesses to grow
and attract foreign investors. The personality and character of the Prophet that were
shown in the field of entrepreneur activities was used as a model for Muslims today.
Besides that, it should be noted that the coming of Islam to Malaysia was through
entrepreneurial activities by the Arab traders who came to Malaya not only to do business
but also to convey the message of Islam through the activities of the business. These two
phenomena are the proofs that entrepreneurship is one of the key areas that need to be
considered seriously by all Muslims. Therefore, the involvement of Muslim communities
in the areas of business is one kind of worships (Ibadah) in Islam, as do other Islamic
worships.

In realizing that business is “jihad” i.e. preaching and advocating for the Sunnah of the
Prophet Muhammad, the involvement of religious studies graduates is a major step that
should be taken. This is because they have the discipline and the knowledge of high
Islamic theology. Thus, if they are honed and nurtured in entrepreneurship knowledge,
they would become more successful in the business that has been outlined by Islam. This
is due to graduates in Islamic studies have more depth of understanding and would
appreciate more of the entrepreneurial concepts and Islamic ethics which are in line with
Al-Quran and As-Sunnah. Their involvement in the field of entrepreneurship is to preach
Islam and to do jihad business which is expected to be a model for Islamic economic
development today which aims not just to achieve spirituality aspects, but also the
material and physical aspects. This is due to the era of globalization and the borderless
world, the issues and challenges in the field of entrepreneurship are increasingly
challenging. Their involvement is expected to be a model for other entrepreneurs to
construct the message of Islam through entrepreneurial activities undertaken as well as
the urge to be independent and to be creative, especially in the job market that is
increasingly uncertain and limited. Apart from reducing the problem of jobless Islamic
studies graduate students, their involvement in the field of entrepreneurship will make
them possess higher self esteem and to be more competitive in the corporate world.

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Therefore, this study aims to determine the motivation level of Islamic studies’ students
in a public university towards entrepreneurship. The study was conducted on 60 students
in a department in a public university.

b) Research Objectives

1. To examine the level of Islamic studies students motivation towards entrepreneurship

2. To identify their level of motivation factors in the field of entrepreneurship such as

Islamic personality, their own personalities, courses taken, friends and interest factors.

c) Literature review

Studies on the interest towards the field of entrepreneurs have long received attention
among academics and researchers, whether local or foreign. This is due to build
motivation and interest of students towards entrepreneurship is an important aspect to be
considered by all parties. For example, Malaysia has seen the entrepreneurial field as a
catalyst for national development. This is because the entrepreneurial activities aim not
only to develop the economy in the long run, but also to overcome unemployment and
reduce dependence on foreign governments. (Wan Syukri 2004:3) Thus, by studying the
students’ motivation in the field of entrepreneurship, we could make recommendations to
all parties involved with the students in order to foster Islamic Studies Student
motivation in the field of entrepreneurship.

While research interest among entrepreneurs in the Islamic Studies students still get less
attention from researchers, they are an important asset to build on the success in
entrepreneurship as based on the theory of Islamic entrepreneurship. This is due to
become a successful Muslim entrepreneur, personality factor is important. According to
Noorizzuddin (2009:4), to participate in the field of Islamic entrepreneurship, Islamic
personalities are essential for others as examples in conducting businesses. Meanwhile,
according to Ab. Aziz Yusof (2010:5), the Islamic personality of an entrepreneur are
always offer prayers, patient, conducting business according to the Islamic law, do
business for self-development, society, religion and nation.

While according to Wan Shukri Derani (2004:13), personality is an important factor that
motivates students to participate in entrepreneurship. He stated that the major personality
factors of an entrepreneur is to be responsible, interested in the challenges, always think
of opportunities, manage time properly, always eager in the business conduct, brave to
face risks, friendly, professional, thrifty, have a sense of leadership, strong desire to strive
for the power to solve problems and possess high self-confidence, and also can accept
criticism from others.

According to Cooper et al (1985:9), educational background can influence whether a

person is willing or not to start a business. Meanwhile, according to Ab. Aziz Yusoff
(2009:28), entrepreneurial education should start from primary level up to the highest

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level for individuals who are interested in undertaking entrepreneurship. Ab. Aziz
mentioned that the teachers and educational institutions play an important role to nurture
students' interest to participate in the field of entrepreneurship.

Apart from that, interests to doing business are important factors to participate in the field
of entrepreneurship. According to Muhammad Ali Haji Hashim (2007:23), the interest
must be nurtured to make it as an entrepreneurial culture. Meanwhile, Ab Aziz Yusoff
(2010:45) mentioned, interest in entrepreneurs begins with reading an article with the
person who are successful in their business, doing part-time business, attend workshops
related to business, enthusiastic about the Prophet’s success stories and “Sahabat” as the
icons of successful entrepreneurs, and thus, venture interests themselves in business with
the intent to develop self, religion and race.

Besides that, friends is another factor to motivate students venturing in the field of
entrepreneurship. Encouragement from friends to participate in the business and support
from friends who have been involved in the business are some of the factors that motivate
students to participate in the business (Chong, Pei Yee: 2000:20).

All motivation factors such as the personality factor in Islamic perspective, the oneself
personality, the courses taken at university, friends and interests are the important factors
to motivate students to involve in the field of entrepreneurship. These factors will be the
subjects of study in this paper.

d) Research Methodology

This is a descriptive study that aims to explain the phenomenon that is taking place
(Mohd Najib Abdul Ghafar, 1999:46). The research involved in collecting data to find
answers to the problems of study and to achieve the objectives of the study. Therefore,
descriptive data was collected through the questionnaires by the respondents themselves.
Likert scale was used in the questionnaire that was formed by the researchers to
determine the respondents' perception of the issues raised.

The population consists of undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking Islamic

studies in a department in a public university. Purposive random sampling techniques
was used to collect the data in order to get 60 data for the pilot test.

The survey items were constructed based on items that have been modified from the
instrument that has been used by other researchers. The Islamic personality factor items
were taken from a questionnaire which was made developed by Wan Sabri (2001), while
the survey questions on personality factors, interests, and courses were adapted from a
questionnaire developed by Wan Shukri (2004). While the survey questions related to
the friends factors taken from the survey developed by Suraidi Salleh (2005). All the
results or the findings of the study were analyzed using the Statistical Software Package
For The Social Science version16.0 for Windows (SPSS).

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According to Mohd Najib Abdul Ghafar (1999:100), the Cronbach alpha value of 0.5-0.6
is sufficient for the instrument that is developed by any researcher. Table 1 shows the
classification of the Cronbach alphas.

Table 1: Classification of Cronbach Alphas (Mohd Najib,1999)

Classification of Strength/ Weakness

Cronbach Alphas
0.0-0.2 Very weak

0.2-0.4 Poor

0.5-0.6 Medium

0.7-0.9 High

0.9-1.0 Very high

e) Result and Discussion

1) Students’ Profile

A total of 60 students completed the questionnaires, please refer to table 1 for the details
of the students’ profile. Majority of the respondents are the third year students (55%)
and the least respondents are the PhD students (2%).

Table 2: Students’ Profile

Year Frequency Percentage
(100%)
First Year 2 3%
Second Year 16 27%
Third Year 33 55%
Fourth Year 6 10%
Master 2 3%
PHD 1 2%
Total 60 100%

37% of the respondents were male and 63% of the respondents were female. Out of these
88% chose the course because of interest, while 12% is due to an offer. In addition, 42%

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of respondents were from parents worked in businesses and 76% have families’ members
involved in the business.

While in the aspects of business experience, 70% students had engaged in business where
69% of them had less than a year experience, 19% of them had in between one and five
years and 9% had more than five years experience. Besides, there are about 53% of
students who had attended courses or workshops that are related to entrepreneurs. But
only 25% of students who want to pursue a career as an entrepreneur after completing
their studies, 53% interested in working as wage earner and 22% will continue their
studies at a higher level.

2) Instrument Reliability

The findings also show that the Cronbach alphas of Islamic studies students’ motivation
on entrepreneurship is from moderate to high i.e. from 0.5 to 0.9. Thus, the results show
that the items constructed for the study is reliable and valid (Mohd Najib,1999). Please
refer to table 3 for the details:

Table 3: The classification of Cronbach alphas on motivating factors

No Factor Alpha Level

1 Friend 0.5 Medium
2 Interest 0.7 Medium
3 Personality 0.9 High
4 Islamic Personality 0.8 High
5 Course 0.9 High
Motivation 0.7 Medium

3) Motivation of Islamic studies students on entrepreneurship.

The table below shows the level of motivation of Islamic studies’ students in the field of
entrepreneurship. Based on Table 4, the results show that 7% students have very high
motivation to become entrepreneurs and 85% students have high motivation to become
an entrepreneur and 8% had a moderate perception of motivation.

Table 4 : The level of students’ motivation in the field of entrepreneurship

Level Frequency Percent

Medium 5 8%

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High 51 85%
Very High 4 7%
Total 60 100%

There are five main factors of motivation in this study which are Islamic personality, own
personality, courses taken at university, friends and interests. The table below shows the
five main factors of motivation of Islamic Studies students on entrepreneurship. The
items in the table below was compiled by researchers chronologically according to the
highest mean to facilitate the researchers to analyze data.

Table 5: Motivation factors of Islamic Studies students on entrepreneurship

No Item SNA NA M A SA Mean

% % % % %

1 Islamic personality 0 0 5% 45% 50% 4.45

2 Own personality 0 0 7% 90% 3% 3.96

3 Course taken at university 2% 2% 13% 65% 18% 3.96

4 Friends 0 2% 28% 55% 15% 3.83

5 Interest 2% 53% 45% 0 3.43

Total mean 3.98

From the table above, out of the five factors, personality in Islamic perspective has the
highest mean which is 4.45 with 50% answered strongly agree, 45% agreed and 5% were
moderate. This phenomenon occurs because the respondent comes from Islamic studies
background.

While the second highest factor is the personality and the course taken in university
which has a similar mean value of 3.96. For the personality factor, 90% answered agree,
7% moderate, 3% answered strongly and 3% answered strongly agree while the factor of
course is 65% answered agree, 18% answered strongly agree, 13% answered average, 2%
not agree and 2% strongly not agree.

The fourth highest factor is friends which has a mean value of 3.83. From this factor,
55% agree, 28% moderate,15% answered strongly agree and 2% not agree

Finally, the fifth factor is the interest which has a mean value of 3.43 with 53% moderate,
45% answered agree and 2% answered not agree.

The study found that the overall motivation factor is 3.98. This shows that students in
Islamic studies have a high motivation factor to participate in entrepreneurship.

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4) The level of personality factor from the Islamic perspective on entrepreneurship

Table 6 shows the Islamic personality factor among the Islamic Studies’ students towards
entrepreneurship.

Table 6: Analysis of the level of the Islamic personality factor to motivate students
towards entrepreneurship
No Item SNA NA M A SA Mean

% % % % %

1 I will do business according Islamic Law 0 0 0 0 100% 5.00

2 I'm not happy if the economy is owned by non-Muslims 0 0 8% 33% 58% 4.50

3 I do business to improve the economy of Muslims 0 0 15% 33% 52% 4.50

4 I do business to follow the ‘Sunnah’ 0 0 13% 38% 48% 4.35

5 I have always been patient with the behavior of others 0 5% 12% 60% 23% 4.01

6 I am not satisfied with today's business 0 0 35% 48% 17% 3.81

7 I always pray together with my friends 0 8% 43% 38% 10% 3.50

Total mean 4.45

The personality factor from the perspective of Islam is the major factor that motivate
Islamic Studies students to engage in the field of entrepreneurship. From the table above,
the question “I will do business in accordance with Islamic law” had the highest mean for
all students who answered strongly agree. This occurs because the respondent is a student
of Islamic studies.

The second highest item was question no 2 and no 3 with the mean value of 4:50. Item
No. 2 is " I'm not happy if the economy is owned by non-Muslims " 58% of respondents
answered strongly agree, 33% answered agree, and 8% answered neutral. While for item
No 3 "I do business to improve the economy of Muslims ", 52% answered strongly agree,
33% agree and 15% neutral.

The lowest mean value is item No. 7. The question is "I always pray together with my
friends" with a mean value is 3.50, 43% answered neutral, 38% answered agree, 10%
answered strongly agree, and 8% answered do not agree.

The study found that personality factor that motivate Muslims to participate in
entrepreneurship is high and the score was 4.45. This indicates that personality factor of
Islam is the main motivating factor that encourages students to plunge in the field of
entrepreneurship

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5) The level of own personality factor on the motivation of Islamic studies’ students
in the field of entrepreneurship

Table 7 shows the level of own personality factor on the motivation of Islamic studies’
students in the field of entrepreneurship.

Table 7: The level of own personality factor on students' motivation

No Item SNA NA M A SA Mean

% % % % %

1 Believe that time management is important 2% 0 3% 37% 58% 4.50

2 Strive to achieve own ambitions and goals 0 3% 7% 43% 47% 4.33

3 Challenge oneself to use creativity 0 0 12% 57% 33% 4.20

4 Work hard to be the best 0 2% 10% 60% 28% 4.15

5 Always check the task entrusted 0 0 15% 57% 28% 4.13

6 Always eager to do business activity 0 2% 18% 53% 27% 4.05

7 Think about business opportunities 0 0 12% 72% 17% 4.05

8 Can accept criticism from others 0 10% 10% 72% 17% 4.03

9 Have the confidence to succeed 0 17% 17% 55% 25% 4.01

10 Capable of solving own problems 0 3% 15% 68% 13% 3.91

11 An outgoing person 0 7% 18% 60% 15% 3.83

12 Prudent in financial management 0 23% 23% 15% 13% 3.80

13 Risk Taking 2% 7% 23% 47% 22% 3.80

14 Like to do business that was carried out by others 2% 8% 17% 65% 8% 3.70

15 Professional 0 35% 35% 58% 7% 3.68

16 Can control other people 0 32% 32% 58% 7% 3.68

17 Experienced in the highest post of an association 0 8% 30% 47% 15% 3.68

18 Like to be a leader and can lead other people 2% 7% 35% 47% 10% 3.56

Total Mean 3.96

The second factor is the personality factor that motivate students of Islamic studies in the
field of entrepreneurship. There are 18 questions related to personality factor that has
been developed by researchers based on previous studies. The question "Believe that time
management is important" has the highest mean value of 4:50 with 58% answered
strongly agree, 37% agree, 3% moderate and 2% answered strongly not agree.

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The second highest mean value was the question "Strive to achieve own ambitions and
goals”. 47% answered strongly agree, 43% answered agree, 7% answered neutral and 3%
answered do not agree.

The lowest mean value is the item No. 18. The question is "Like to be a leader and can
lead other people" with a mean value 3:56. 47% answered agree, 35% answered neutral,
10% answered strongly agree and 7% answered disagree and 2% answered strongly not
agree.

The study found that the mean scores for the personality factor is 3.96. This factor is also
a key driver that motivates students to get involved in entrepreneurship.

v) The level of courses taken factor on students' motivation towards

entrepreneurship.

Table 8 shows the distribution of respondents by percentage and the mean of courses
taken at the university.

Table 8: Level of courses taken at the university factor on student motivation

No Item SNA NA M A SA Mean

% % % % %
Lecturer always give support to students to become
1 entrepreneurs 2% 2% 15% 60% 22% 3.98
My school always provide courses related to
2 entrepreneurship 2% 2% 15% 62% 20% 3.96
My lecturer always conducts program with successful
3 entrepreneur to give us motivation and spirit on 2% 2% 28% 57% 12% 3.75
entrepreneurship.

Total Mean 3.96

Courses taken in the university also is an important factor that motivate students
venturing in the field of entrepreneurship. There are only three questions that relate to
this factor. The question "Lecturer always give support to students to become entrepreneur"
recorded the highest mean value of 3.98 with 60% answered agree, 22% answering is
strongly agree 15% answered neutral, 2% answered disagree and 2% of the answer is
strongly disagree.

The second highest mean is the question "My school always provide courses related to
entrepreneurship" with the mean score is 3.96. 62% answered agree, 20% answered
strongly agree, 15% answered neutral, 2% answered disagree and 2% answered strongly
disagree.

The lowest mean value is the item No. 3. The question is "My lecturer always conducts
program with successful entrepreneur to give us motivation and spirit on entrepreneurship"
which has a mean value of 3.75. 57% answered agree, 28% answered neutral, 12%

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answered strongly agree, and 2% answered disagree and 2% answered strongly not
agree.

The study found that the overall score for courses taken at university is also high with the
mean of 3.96.

vi) The level of friends factor on students' motivation to venture into

entrepreneurship.

Table 9 shows the distribution of respondents by percentage and the mean of the factor of
friends towards entrepreneurship.

Table 9: Level of friends factor that motivate the student's involvement in

entrepreneurship.

No Item SNA NA M A SA Mean

% % % % %

1 Like making friends with peers who engage in the 2% 2% 15% 58% 25% 4.01
business

2 Always talk to my friends to open my own business 2% 5% 27% 43% 23% 3.81

3 Always encourage friends to get involved in business 3% 8% 30% 42% 17% 3.60

Total Mean 3.81

Friends is the fourth important factor that encourages students in venturing in the field of
entrepreneurship. There are only three questions that relate to this factor. Question "Like
making friends with peers who engage in the business" recorded the highest mean value
of 4:01 with 58% answering is agree, 25% answering is strongly agree, 15% neutral, and
2% disagree and 2% of the answered is strongly not agreed.

The second highest mean was the question no 2 with "Always talk to my friends to
open my own business." The mean score for the question is 3.81 with 43% answered
agree, 27% answered neutral, 23% answered strongly agree, and 5% answered
disagree and 2% answered strongly disagree.

The lowest mean value is item No.3 which is the last item on the friends factors.
Questions “Always encourage friends to get involved in the business” with the mean
value is 3:58. 50% answered agree, 32% answered neutral, 10% of the respondent
answered strongly agree, and 5% answered disagree and 3% answered most do not
agree.

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The study found that the average mean for this factor is 3.83. This shows that the friends
factor that motivate students to participate in entrepreneurship is also high .

vii) The level of interest factor on students' motivation towards entrepreneurship.

Table 10 shows the distribution of respondents by percentage and the mean of the interest
factor of students towards entrepreneurship.

Table 10: Level of interest factor that motivate the student's involvement in
entrepreneurship

No Item SNA NA M A SA Mean

% % % % %

1 Interested to hear stories of successful entrepreneurs 3% 2% 8% 48% 38% 4.16

2 Create a business to build yourself, family and religion 0% 0% 15% 47% 35% 4.13

3 Interested in a business subject 0% 3% 20% 45% 32% 4.00

4 Take the opportunity to join a business workshop 3% 8% 17% 57% 15% 4.00

5 Concerned about current issues in business 2% 10% 25% 52% 12% 4.00

6 Not recognizing successful entrepreneurs 0% 2% 17% 57% 25% 4.00

7 Making a successful entrepreneur as a model 0% 0% 28% 60% 12% 3.83

8 Interested in becoming entrepreneurs 5% 13% 25% 30% 27% 3.60

9 Interested to know the success of the Prophet in business 2% 3% 47% 45% 3% 3.45

10 Running a part-time business 10% 22% 32% 25% 12% 3.06

Interested in participating in business activities in
11 campus 2% 3% 37% 40% 8% 3.00
Like to keep book / article on business
12 12% 3% 32% 18% 3% 2.66
No interested in doing business because there is no
13 future 30% 28% 10% 15% 17% 2.60

Total Mean 3.43

Interest is the last factor to motivate students to participate in entrepreneurship. There are
13 questions that relate to this factor. The question "Interested to hear stories of
successful entrepreneurs" recorded the highest mean value of 4.16. 48% answered agree,
38% answered agree, 8% answered neutral and 2% answered strongly agree and 3%
answered strongly disagree

The second highest mean was the question "Create a business to build yourself, family
and religion, "the mean score is 4.13. 47% answered agree, 35% answered strongly agree
15% answered neutral.

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The lowest mean value is the item No. 3 which is the last item in the factor of interest
that motivate Islamic studies’ student in public university towards entrepreneurship.
Questions that relate to the "No interest in doing business because there is no future" has
a mean value of 2.60. 30% said do not agree, 28% answered disagree 17% answered
strongly agree, 15% answered agree and 10% answered neutral

The study found that the mean for the factor of interest is 3:43. This shows that the
interest is one of the strongest motivating factor for participating in entrepreneurship.

h) Conclusion

Based on the results showed that the overall motivation factor in this study has a
Cronbach alpha value of above 0.5. Therefore, the questionnaire used in this study is
reliable and thus can be replicated or extended for further study.

Of the five factors that motivate students to participate in entrepreneurship, personality

factor from the Islamic perspective is a key factor based on the highest mean value. This
occurs because the respondents came from Islamic Studies’ background.

In addition, own personality factor also encouraged the students of Islamic Studies at the
Public University to engage in entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, the course, interests and
friends factors are also factors that motivate students to engage in entrepreneurship.

Based on the overall factors, the level of motivation in Islamic studies’ students towards
entrepreneurship is high. Therefore, efforts to produce them as successful entrepreneurs
can be realized if all parties cooperate in forming the students' interest such as instilling
motivation and enthusiasm among students, increasing the activity associated with the
entrepreneurial and constantly exposing them to the entrepreneurial world.

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