Digital Entrepreneurship Literacy among Asnaf Zakat Entrepreneurs in Melaka: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The implementation of the asnaf entrepreneur transformation model through the Human Development Program is a proactive initiative by the Malacca Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) aimed at helping to increase the potential of the asnaf group in the entrepreneurial sector. This initiative aligns with MAIM's objective to increase the effectiveness of zakat distribution through a two-pronged strategy, ensuring that every asnaf can live a prosperous life while building their potential to get out of poverty. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 has contributed to the rapid development of information and communication technology. Thus, business and entrepreneurial activities, especially the Small and Medium Industry (SMI) sector, need to increase their competitiveness through participation in digital entrepreneurship platforms. Thus, this study aims to identify the level of digital entrepreneurship literacy among asnaf zakat entrepreneurs in Melaka and further develop guidelines to increase the competitiveness of asnaf zakat entrepreneurs in Melaka in the digital entrepreneurship platform. The study has conducted in a mixed-mode method, which is qualitative through the distribution of questionnaires to 150 asnaf zakat entrepreneurs registered with MAIM. The findings of the following subsequent study were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 software to achieve the set objectives. In addition, a focused interview with officers in the Zakat Division, MAIM, has been conducted to obtain their blueprint on the competitiveness of zakat asnaf entrepreneurs in Melaka in the digital entrepreneurship platform. The Malacca Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) has generally succeeded in producing asnaf entrepreneurs through the Human Development Program and establishing the Asnaf Entrepreneur Cooperative as support assistance. However, the boom of the IR4.0 era necessitated a more comprehensive and competitive entrepreneurial model. This goal is to produce asnaf entrepreneurs who can remain competitive and develop their potential to face the changes in the current world.