Table 1 Items used for the study

Policy

 1) Business licensing and permits are simple

 2) Customs and trade regulations and clear

 3) Labour regulations are workable

 4) Tax administration is good

 5) Tax rates are reasonable

 6) Interest rates are reasonable

Business support services

 1) There is easy access to legal services

 2) There is easy access to tax services

 3) There is easy access to incubators/accelerators

 4) There is easy access to consultants/advisors

 5) Business development services are easily available

Other business environment

 1) There is an adequate level of support from successful business people in the region

 2) The political instability does not hinder my operation

 3) The practices of informal sector competitors do not hinder my operation

 4) R&D collaboration between businesses and university researchers supports my operations

 5) Corruption is not hindering my operation

 6) Crime, theft, and disorder do not hinder my operation

 7) Overall business environment (in the region) is good

Competency

 1) I can set the goal and vision of our firm

 2) I can formulate the business strategy

 3) I can make an environmental scanning

 4) I can make an opportunity recognition

 5) I can make cooperation and networking

 6) I dare to take risk

 7) I have the flexibility and willingness to adapt

 8) I have good motivation and ambition

Performance

 a) The firm has been profitable in the past 3 years

 b) The capital of our firm has been increasing in the last 3 years

 c) The market share of our firm is growing

 d) The product sale of our firm is growing

 e) My income from this business is growing