Exploring Social Capital Influencing Entrepreneurial Process Among Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Malaysia

Immigrant entrepreneurship has been widely discussed in various perspectives. Yet, their entrepreneurial process received less attention from the aspect of social capital. This paper intends to explore role capital dimensions (structural, relational, and cognitive) (discovery exploitation opportunity). In-depth interview approach was conducted with six Thai immigrant restaurant-preneurs (TIRps) Malaysia. The findings revealed that structural is most important dimension for TIRps highlighting supports family friends which transpired at both stages process. study based on perspectives also demonstrated significance local consumers’ eating-out habits identified as preferences cuisines cognitive signifies emergence Consumer Culture Theory research entrepreneurship. contributes an integrated model a set propositions. For practicality, provide some guidelines policymakers develop training programmes by leveraging further development Malaysian entrepreneurs. Keywords: Social capital; process; entrepreneurship; qualitative study; Thailand; Malaysia ABSTRAK Keusahawanan imigran banyak dibincangkan dalam pelbagai perspektif. Namun, proses keusahawanan menerusi lensa modal sosial amat sedikit diberi perhatian. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan meneroka peranan setiap dimensi (struktur, hubungan dan kognitif) yang mempengaruhi (penemuan eksploitasi peluang). Pendekatan temubual mendalam dijalankan bersama enam orang usahawan restoran di Hasil menunjukkan bahawa struktur adalah terpenting menonjolkan sokongan keluarga rakan wujud kedua-dua peringkat keusahawanan. Kajian didasari dengan perspektif juga kepentingan tabiat makan luar masyarakat setempat dikenal pasti sebagai pilihan terhadap masakan Thailand kognitif menyumbang kepada Teori Budaya Pengguna penyelidikan imigran. mencadangkan satu integrasi proposisi. Secara praktikalnya, dapatan menyediakan garis panduan pembuat polisi untuk membangunkan program latihan memanfaatkan pembangunan Kata kunci: Modal sosial; imigran; keusahawanan; kualitatif;