Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Skills Among Former Prisoners to Support the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

Objective: The objective of this research is to analysed factors that influence entrepreneurial skills among former prisoners to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals. Method: This study was conducted using a quantitative cross-sectional study. A total of 354 ex-prisoners who have been released from prison but are still under the supervision of the Malaysian Prisons Department have been selected as study respondents. The study data was analysed using multiple regression analysis (stepwise) through the Statistical Package for the Social Science for Windows software. Results: The results of the study found that creativity and innovation are the main factors influencing entrepreneurial skills among ex-prisoners by contributing as much as 61 per cent of the variance (R2=.610) to entrepreneurial skills. In addition, the factors of entrepreneurial literacy and self-confidence also influence entrepreneurial skills among ex-prisoners. Research Implications: The results of this study make a significant contribution to stakeholders in helping to develop an effective entrepreneurial skills training program to support the achievement of decent work and economic growth in the sustainable development goals (SDG 8) by taking into account aspects of creativity and innovation, entrepreneurial literacy and self-confidence to improve entrepreneurial skills and create new job opportunities for ex-prisoners. Originality/Value: This research has several limitations that can be overcome by others authors in future research. It is recommended that future research include more independent variables or add moderating variables that have not been researched in this research.