The practice of record keeping among asnafpreneurs: a review

Asnafpreneurs in Malaysia face persistent and multidimensional barriers that hinder systematic record-keeping practices, despite the importance of documentation for business sustainability and financial well-being. Socioeconomic constraints, limited financial literacy, cultural norms that favour informal practices, and gaps in institutional support collectively weaken their ability to maintain accurate financial records. This literature review synthesises existing studies on record-keeping among micro-entrepreneurs and asnafpreneurship to identify key challenges and propose targeted interventions. Findings reveal that poor record-keeping reduces access to financing, undermines financial planning, and constrains business growth. The review recommends tailored financial literacy training, the integration of record-keeping into productive zakat programs, the provision of simple tools, staged digitalization, and structured mentorship as practical interventions. Strengthening record-keeping practices can support the transition of asnafpreneurs from dependency to self-reliance, contributing to broader socio-economic development goals.