Sampling Plan and Data Collection
The primary data for the study was collected between May-July 2007. The questionnaire was distributed through self-administered surveys via email and researcher-administered surveys via face-to-face sessions with respondents. Using a census approach, a total of 2572 personal emails were sent to all SMEs listed in the Malaysian Multimedia Development Corporation (MSC Malaysia) database. From the 2572 emails sent out, 997 emails were returned due to an unrecognised email address or the mailbox of the recipient had exceeded the quota. A reminder email was sent two weeks after the first email. Eventually, an effective response rate of about 10 percent was attained, that is 152 usable responses were collected through this method. Besides that, approximately 500 entrepreneurs were approached during various trade exhibitions and around the Klang Valley. The respondents were met face-to-face. Although this second method is more costly, a higher response rate was recorded. A total of 204 responses were collected through this method—approximately a 40 percent response rate—resulting in a total of 356 usable responses for further data analysis.