Influence of perceived risks on the decision to invest in equity crowdfunding: a study of Malaysian investors
Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies
ISSN: 2053-4604
Article publication date: 31 July 2021
Issue publication date: 16 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the influence of various risk factors, specifically investment risk, legal risk and technology risk, on the decision of investors to invest in equity crowdfunding ventures in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 169 valid responses out of a total of 195 questionnaires were distributed to individuals with prior knowledge of equity crowdfunding. The data from the responses are used to test the relationships using structural equation modeling partial least squares (SEM-PLS).
Findings
Investigation into the influence of risk factors on the willingness to support equity crowdfunding shows that investment risk and legal risk significantly influence the decision to support equity crowdfunding ventures, but technology risk does not. However, while the influence of investment risk is negative, legal risk is found to have a positive influence.
Originality/value
This study is important as, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically test the relationship between the various risks inherent in equity crowdfunding investments and the decision to invest. The study is also important to entrepreneurs and start-ups as it provides evidence that while the equity crowdfunding investment community follows the norms of investment, i.e. lower risk is preferred, stricter laws and regulations governing equity crowdfunding may not be needed or may only be relevant in countries where there are more retail, unsophisticated investors.
Keywords
Citation
Wasiuzzaman, S., Chong, L.L. and Ong, H.B. (2022), "Influence of perceived risks on the decision to invest in equity crowdfunding: a study of Malaysian investors", Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 208-230. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-11-2020-0431
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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