Rizq concept in decision-making process among Malay small business women in fishing areas: a case study in Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, Malaysia

This paper looks at the influential factors that led to the decision-making process among Malay small business women doing business in fishing areas, namely Tok Bali and Pasir Puteh. Using grounded theory approach of qualitative research methodology, six women were interviewed. The analysis from the in-depth interview transcriptions reveals what triggered these women in the fishing area to start their businesses. The study shows that most of these women’s involvement in business was due to their desire to continue the family tradition, for survival, herding (because others in their area do it) or to get a better life. As most of them did not have higher level of education, these women did not apply any strategies employed by most established entrepreneurs to start up a business. It is interesting to find that most of these women also applied the concept of rizq (provision or sustenance) prior to starting a business resulting them to do so despite there were already other similar businesses in the area. Overall, it can be concluded that factors that lead to business behaviour among these women are situational factors (survival, time); social support (family, supplier); and human factors (belief system, self-motivation, market attractiveness and family tradition).