A phenomenological study of student entrepreneurs' experiences within malaysian technical university network (MTUN) business incubators / Haziman Bin Zakaria

Faculty of Industrial Management

Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang - 2025

Includes bibliographical references

University Business Incubators (UBIs) play a critical role in fostering student entrepreneurship, yet understanding the lived experiences of participants within specific contexts like the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) remains crucial for optimizing support. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of student entrepreneurs participating in MTUN UBIs, focusing on their interactions with key stakeholders (academia, industry, government, civil society, environment) as framed by the Quintuple Helix model. The research sought to identify the challenges encountered, determine the support needed, and ultimately develop an integrated framework to enhance the UBI ecosystem's effectiveness. A qualitative phenomenological methodology was employed, involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 student entrepreneurs from three MTUN universities. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that the entrepreneurial journey is shaped by a dynamic interplay of positive supports and significant obstacles. The key 'Core Ecosystem Pillars' of support identified were (1) University-provided Foundational Support & Infrastructure, (2) proactive External Linkages & Market Interaction, and (3) strategic Environmental Alignment & Market Dynamics. Conversely, participants consistently faced five clusters of 'Hindering Factors': Human Resource and Skills Gaps, Financial and Economic Pressures, Marketing and Consumer Relations Issues, Operational and Strategic Hurdles, and Industry Collaboration Misalignment. Key needs identified to overcome these challenges included access to tailored, practical training, scalable funding, structured networking opportunities, and industry-specific mentorship. A major outcome was the development of the 'Integrated Ecosystem Success Framework for Student Entrepreneurship', a holistic model synthesizing the core support pillars, hindering factors (challenges), and enabling factors (needs) within the MTUN UBI context. Theoretically, the study contributes by contextualizing the Quintuple Helix, Knowledge Spillover, and Stakeholder theories within the MTUN setting and by proposing the integrated framework itself as a novel analytical tool. Practically, the research offers specific, evidence-based recommendations for MTUN universities, UBIs, policymakers, and student entrepreneurs aimed at addressing identified gaps and strengthening the support ecosystem. This research underscores the importance of understanding student perspectives to create more responsive and effective environments for nurturing successful and sustainable student ventures.