Characteristics of Informal Micro-Entrepreneurs in Malaysia
Abstract
The informal sector plays a major role in the Malaysian economy; however, there is still insufficient information about the
informal economic activities in Malaysia. The term ‘informal economy’ at present is a label for economic activities, which take
place outside the framework of public and private sector corporate establishments. According to the International Labor
Organization (ILO), the common characteristics of an informal enterprise include the ease of entry, reliance on indigenous
resources, family ownership, small-scaled operations, labor intensive, adaptive technology, and unregulated and competitive
markets. The objective of this study is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of informal micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
The review is mainly focused on the key issues including characteristics of the informal economy in Malaysia, characteristics of
the informal entrepreneurs, reasons for operating informally, and the strengths and weaknesses of the informal entrepreneurs.
informal economic activities in Malaysia. The term ‘informal economy’ at present is a label for economic activities, which take
place outside the framework of public and private sector corporate establishments. According to the International Labor
Organization (ILO), the common characteristics of an informal enterprise include the ease of entry, reliance on indigenous
resources, family ownership, small-scaled operations, labor intensive, adaptive technology, and unregulated and competitive
markets. The objective of this study is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of informal micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
The review is mainly focused on the key issues including characteristics of the informal economy in Malaysia, characteristics of
the informal entrepreneurs, reasons for operating informally, and the strengths and weaknesses of the informal entrepreneurs.

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences ISSN 2039-9340(Print) ISSN 2039-2117(Online)
Copyright © MCSER-Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research
To make sure that you can receive messages from us, please add the 'mcser.org' domain to your e-mail 'safe list'. If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox', check your 'bulk mail' or 'junk mail' folders..