Unlocking Success: Malaysian PolyCC Lecturers’ Altruism, Enthusiasm and Harmonism in Sparking and Sustaining Student Startups Business

Abstract

This study investigates the personalities of lecturers as mentors to startup entrepreneurs at higher education institutions (HEIs). The problem stems from the need to understand how specific personality traits contribute to effective mentorship. The objective is to explore how altruism, enthusiasm, and harmonism in lecturers influence their mentoring roles. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with Malaysian Polytechnic and Community College (PolyCC) lecturers who were finalists in the Best Entrepreneurship Mentor Award Category of the Ministry of Higher Education Entrepreneurship Award (MEA) 2021. These lecturers mentor student entrepreneurs who have successfully sustained their businesses. Thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti 9 to identify patterns and interactions. The resulting Entrepreneurial Mentor Personality Competency Model Framework, with a high inter-rater reliability (Cohen's Kappa value of 0.99), highlights key personality traits essential for effective mentorship. Additionally, the transferability of this model was validated by an entrepreneurship mentoring expert from Coventry University, United Kingdom (UK). This framework aims to guide HEI lecturers in fostering student entrepreneurship, providing a comprehensive guideline to help students achieve their entrepreneurial aspirations.