AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL ON THE DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS’ PERFORMANCE DURING THE OMICRON VARIANT WAVE (SARS-CoV-2: B.1.1.529)

This study empirically scrutinises the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial performance during the Omicron variant (SARs-CoV-2: B.1.1.529) spread in Malaysia. This study focused on spousal social support, social network, social media usage, and the digital entrepreneurs' performance. This research applied quantitative methods to yield empirical results and substantiations to answer the research questions. Data was collected using a questionnaire through Google Docs. A total of 313 digital entrepreneurs operating their ventures in West Malaysia contributed the data for this study which led to the discoveries, reasonings, and final judgments. The results attained in this study reveal statistically significant relationships among spousal social support, social network, and social media usage with the digital entrepreneurs' performance during the onslaught of the silent enemy (Omicron variant), which is spreading at an alarming rate. Additionally, this study's breakthrough will undeniably give the digital entrepreneurs assurance to form a formidable relationship with their spouses, create and increase the social networks between all stakeholders of the business, and use social media extensively to gain resources and customers during the Omicron shockwave. Moreover, by improving the relationship with their spouse, optimising the social network, and augmenting social media usage, the digital entrepreneurs can heighten their business performance and endure the challenges that they are subjected to during the assault of the Omicron wave in Malaysia. i Correspondence: email kumar.erapintar@gmail.com Kumaran Kanapathipillai, Sharvena Kumaran AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL ON THE DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS’ PERFORMANCE DURING THE OMICRON VARIANT WAVE (SARS-CoV-2: B.1.1.529) European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies Volume 7 │ Issue 2 │ 2022 60 JEL: L10; J10

responsibilities of being a sole family provider, which results in better digital entrepreneurial performance.
On the contrary, according to (Foley & Powell, 1997), business partners' husbands and wives also encounter work-family conflicts. According to (Bird, 2014), spousal relationships have both adverse and favourable impacts on the performance of entrepreneurs. Moreover, according to (Miettinen, 1986), 65 percent of the husbands of female entrepreneurs do not take part in the business, while on the other hand, about 40 percent of men-owned businesses have no help from their wives. According to (Burke & Belcourt, 1989), entrepreneurs do not wish to have help from their spouses as this could be a blessing in disguise because having their spouses in the business means there may be less dependence on the business's profits to support the family (Carter et al., 1996).
Moreover, according to Danes & Olsen, 2003), a spouse who is involved in a business commonly create tensions and conflicts, which often results in unclear roles, confusion over authority, unfair workloads, and compensation which finally leads to poor entrepreneurial performance. Furthermore, (Kurniawan & Sanjaya, 2016) mention that spousal social support can create an adverse effect on the performance of entrepreneurs when there is a work-family conflict between the spouse and the entrepreneur.

Social Network and Entrepreneurial Performance
Digital entrepreneurs are individuals who seek new opportunities and ideas to set up their businesses utilising digital technologies. The abundance of opportunities and ideas will only be available to digital entrepreneurs if they form social networks using digital technologies. Therefore, entrepreneurs with greater social networks can exploit new opportunities and ideas (Dimitriadis & Koning, 2021;Ibrahim et al., 2021;Pindado et al., 2018;Sparrowe et al., 2001;Aldrich & Zimmer, 1986). Additionally, (Hsiao et al., 2016;Thomas et al., 2009) mentions that social networks help entrepreneurs obtain a lot of intelligence and support from different professionals to strengthen their weaknesses and increase opportunities. Consequently, digital entrepreneurs' performance will be heightened, and they will be able to withstand all tribulations they may encounter during their entrepreneurial undertakings.
Based on (Ibrahim et al., 2021;Mamun et al., 2016), entrepreneurs use their social networks to deal with the various crises they face in their business environment and achieve success and higher performance levels. Through their excellent affiliations and the trust, they have built with their networks, the digital entrepreneurs will achieve entrepreneurial performance and economic wealth (Kim & Chung, 2016). Moreover, (Weiss et al., 2019) elucidates that entrepreneurs' strong intentions and social networks create entrepreneurial competence, thus enhancing the entrepreneurs' performance.
According to (Ibrahim et al., 2021;Schlepphorst et al., 2020), when entrepreneurs use their social networks, their entrepreneurial performance will be uplifted because of the new prospects that the network introduces, which entrepreneurs would not be able to obtain within a short time to create a barrier to overcome the competition and business rivalries.
This is parallel to the findings of (Dimitriadis & Koning, 2021;Akintimehin et al., 2019;Vega-Redondo et al., 2019) that social networking provides effortless access into various vital resources such as human, financial, innovation, technological, cultural, and intellectual which are significant for digital entrepreneur's performance. Likewise, (Yani et al., 2020) illuminates that social network is highly significant for entrepreneurs. This statement substantiates that social networks and technologies need to complement one another to enhance the performance of digital entrepreneurs. When the digital entrepreneur's performance is heightened, the digital entrepreneur will be able to meet challenges faced during the post-Covid-29 pandemic, leading to competitive advantage (Nasip et al., 2017).
Additionally, digital entrepreneurs are likely to gain better performance if they develop their social network during the early stage of their digital business. Previous research by (Hansen, 1998) indicated that an entrepreneur who created a social network early during business creation could facilitate business development and amplify entrepreneurial performance.
Moreover, (Chen et al., 2007) states that vital social network elements, explicitly network interactions, quality of the relationship, and external links, benefit entrepreneurs to attain significant resources and influence entrepreneurial performance. Additionally, social network literature generally acknowledges that social networks are a significant factor for entrepreneurial performance.
Contrarily, some scholars (Bruderl & Preisendörfer, 1998;Allen et al., 2007;de Bruin et al., 2009;Hakansson et al., 2009) challenges this biased opinion by implying some of the adverse effects of social networks on entrepreneurial performance. Social networks can be a problem; some affiliations are unnecessary and even destructive, according to (Klyver et al., 2011). The social networks of some entrepreneurs were seen to act as an impediment to entrepreneurs' performance (Ettl & Welter, 2010). Some entrepreneurs tend to have very few network connections (Allen et al., 2007). Moreover, (de Bruin et al., 2009) illuminate that an entrepreneur's social networks might not offer precious information concerning business prospects.
Studies conducted by (Bean & Bell-Rose 1999;Gargiulo & Benassi, 1999;Portes, 1995) has indicated that social networks can become social liabilities that restrain entrepreneurs from achieving their business objectives and diminish their performance. Moreover, (Light & Isralowitz 1997;Podolny & Page, 1998;Uzzi, 1997) have also demonstrated that social network forms stringently controlled relationships that create social commitments and expectations between entrepreneurs and their contacts. These social compulsions and anticipations act as constraints when entrepreneurs are identifying resources.
According to (Bhattacharya, 2022;Kanapathipillai & Mahbob, 2021;Fan et al., 2021;Zhang et al., 2017;Nakara et al., 2012;Stockdale et al., 2012), entrepreneurs employ social media to generate values in their ventures. Additionally, (Park et al., 2017;Hopkins, 2012;Schaupp & Belanger, 2014) acknowledged that entrepreneurs increase their marketing and sales efforts and enhance the internal operations of their business through social media. Furthermore, (Lehmkuhl & Jung, 2013;Hitchen et al., 2017;Scuotto et al., 2017) elucidated that the value of entrepreneurs is boosted as the utilisation of social media lowers transaction costs, improves access to information, and allows the implementation of sound strategies.
Social media has also become a fundamental factor when entrepreneurs create new businesses. Social media was identified as a significant element that aids in attaining economic improvement, financial and non-financial performance (Bhattacharya, 2022;Alarcón-del-Amo et al., 2018;Nord et al., 2017;Steel, 2017;Beninger et al., 2016).
Contrarily, researchers (Ahmad et al., 2019; Gavino et al., 2018) have found that social media usage does not significantly impact entrepreneurial performance. Additionally, research undertaken by (Grimmer et al., 2018) discovered that information gathered through social media platforms leads to unfavorable impacts on entrepreneurial performance. Based on the study conducted by (Gavino et al., 2018), low funding in social media leads to unfavourable entrepreneurial performance.

Proposed Conceptual Framework
This study aims to examine the influence of spousal social support, social network, and social media on the performance of digital entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Figure 1 shows the proposed conceptual framework developed based on the critical literature review to enlighten the relationship between this study's independent and dependent variables.

Research Hypothesis
Based on the critical literature review presented, the following hypotheses were developed.
H1: There is a statistically significant relationship between spousal social support and the digital entrepreneurs' performance.
H2: There is a statistically significant relationship between social network and the digital entrepreneurs' performance.
H3: There is a statistically significant relationship between social media usage and the digital entrepreneurs' performance.

Research Methodology
This study aimed to gather the responses from the entrepreneurs in Malaysia and acquire an insight into entrepreneurs' performance due to the influence of social capital. A total of 860 self-administered structured questionnaires were distributed to the digital entrepreneurs in Malaysia. The questionnaires used Likert's 5-points scale varying from "Strongly disagree (1)" to "Strongly agree (5)". The survey instrument is comprised of five sections. The first section intended to obtain information about the digital entrepreneurs' demographic profile, the second section generated data on spousal social support. The third section generated data on the social network, and the fourth section provided data on social media usage. Finally, the fifth section provided data on the performance of digital entrepreneurs.
Upon testing the reliability, the Cronbach's Alpha values were all between 0.7 < α < 0.8, which showed the internal consistency of the questionnaire is good. Table 1 shows the reliability of the instrument used in this research. The validity test was also conducted as the questionnaire was self-conducted. The validity of the questionnaire was certified by 3 digital entrepreneurs and 3 professors, and the committee agreed with minor alterations in the constructs. For the pilot study, 120 questionnaires were distributed to digital entrepreneurs operating their businesses in Malaysia. The feedback aided in altering some questions in the survey instrument used.

Population and Sampling
The population of this study is digital entrepreneurs in Malaysia. The total number of entrepreneurs in Malaysia is 2.61 million (DOSM, 2021). Out of this, 38% or 1 million businesses have adopted digital technologies, or traditional entrepreneurs have become digital entrepreneurs (DOSM, 2021). The (Krejcie & Morgan, 1970) population and sample size tabulation were employed to obtain an appropriate sample size for this research from the population. Therefore, according to (Krejcie & Morgan, 1970) computation, the representative sample size of digital entrepreneurs is 384. The snowball sampling technique was used to achieve the objective of this study. The digital entrepreneurs voluntarily partook in the survey without any coercion. A total of 780 questionnaires were distributed to the digital entrepreneurs in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 329 questionnaires were received, which is approximately a 42.2% return rate. While collation, it was revealed that 16 out of 329 questionnaires that were collected were not thoroughly answered. Therefore, a total of 313 questionnaires were able to provide the data for this study. The analysis of the demographic factors was presented using percentages and frequencies. The regression procedure was used to analyse the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Additionally, the correlation procedure was utilized to determine the strength of association between the variables.

Findings and Interpretation
The following sections present the results obtained from the study on the digital entrepreneurs in Malaysia.

Social Capital Factors (Spousal Social Support, Social Network and Social Media Usage) and the Performance of Digital Entrepreneurs
This section provides the outcome of the social capital factors which are spousal social support, social network, and social media usage.
To determine the relationship between social capital factors which are spousal social support, social network and social media usage and the performance of digital the entrepreneurs, social capital factors (spousal social support, social network and social media usage) were regressed on the performance of the digital entrepreneurs and the standardized regression coefficients (Beta) was examined to determine the size and the direction of the relationship and whether it was statistically significant. The regression equation used to measure the relationship is as follows:
The pertinent results are summarized in Table 3, 4 and 5. The results in Table 3a Model Summary show the Pearson's Bivariate Correlations performed on the predictor (spousal social support) the R-value was 0.834, which is more than 0.3 and between -1.0 and +1.0. The p-value < 0.001. Thus, this model implies a positive association between spousal social support of the digital entrepreneur and the performance of the digital entrepreneur. This predictor (spousal social support) shows (R2 = 0.695, with an adjusted R2 = 0.694; p-value < 0.001), which means that the predictor spousal social support can explain 69.5% of the variation in digital entrepreneurs' performance. The model also shows a strong significant relationship between the predictor variable (spousal social support) and the dependent variable (performance of the digital entrepreneurs) in this model. From the ANOVA model in Table 3b the 'F' statistics to test the hypotheses for the sample population (N= 313), F (1, 312) = 710.202, p-value < 0.001. The Table F 871). Therefore, the model as a whole show that there is a statistically significant relationship between spousal social support of the digital entrepreneur and the performance of the digital entrepreneur.
Based on the coefficients model in Table 3c, for the predictor spousal social support (B = 0.555, t = 26.429, p-value < 0.001,  = 0.834), which indicates that as the spousal social support increases by 1 unit, the performance of the digital entrepreneur increases by 0.555 units.
From the regression result, the final predictive linear regression equation formed based on the model in Table 3 is as follows: Performance = 1.367 + 0.555 (spousal social support). Thus, the model in Table 3 supports that for every 1 unit increase in spousal social support of the digital entrepreneur, the digital entrepreneurs' performance increases by 0.555 units. The results in Table 4a Model Summary show the Pearson's Bivariate Correlations performed on the predictor (social network); the R-value was 0.730, which is more than 0.3 and between -1.0 and +1.0. The p-value < 0.001. Thus, this model implies a positive association between the social network of the digital entrepreneur and the performance of the digital entrepreneur. This predictor (social network) shows (R2= 0.533, with an adjusted R2 = 0.531, p-value < 0.001), this means that the predictor social network can explain 53.3% of the variation in digital entrepreneurs' performance. The model also shows a strong significant relationship between the predictor variable (social network) and the dependent variable (digital entrepreneurs' performance) in this model. From the ANOVA model in Table 4b the 'F' statistics to test the hypotheses for the sample population (N= 313), F (1, 312) = 354.674, p-value < 0.001. The Table F 871). Therefore, the model as a whole shows that there is a statistically significant relationship between the social network of the digital entrepreneur and the performance of the digital entrepreneur.
Based on the coefficients model in Table 4c, the predictor social network (B = 0.483; t = 18.577, p-value < 0.001, b = 0.730) indicates that as the social network increases by 1 unit, the performance of the digital entrepreneur increases by 0.483 units. From the regression result, the final predictive linear regression equation formed based on the model in Table 4 is as follows: Performance = 1.739 + 0.483 (social network).
Thus, from the model in Table 4, it is supported that for every 1 unit increase in the social network of the digital entrepreneur, the digital entrepreneurs' performance increases by 0.483 units. The results in Table 5a Model Summary show the Pearson's Bivariate Correlations performed on the predictor (social media usage); the R-value was 0.773, which is more than 0.3 and between -1.0 and +1.0. The p-value < 0.001. Thus, this model implies a strong positive association between social media usage of the digital entrepreneur and the performance of the digital entrepreneur. This predictor (social media usage) shows (R2= 0.598, with an adjusted R2 = 0.597, p-value < 0.001), this means that 59.8% of the variation in digital entrepreneurs' performance can be explained by the predictor social media usage. The model also shows a strong significant relationship between the predictor variable (social media usage) and the dependent variable (digital entrepreneurs' performance). From the ANOVA model in Table 5b the 'F' statistics to test the hypotheses for the sample population (N= 313), F (1, 312) = 462.436, p-value < 0.001. The Table F ). Therefore, the model as a whole shows that there is a statistically significant relationship between social media usage of the digital entrepreneur and the performance of the digital entrepreneur. Based on the coefficients model in Table 5c, for the predictor social media usage (B = 0.521; t = 21.708, p-value < 0.001, b = 0.773), which indicates that as the social media usage increases by 1 unit, the performance of the digital entrepreneur increases by 0.521 units. From the regression result, the final predictive linear regression equation formed based on the model in Table 5 is as follows: Performance = 1.391 + 0.521 (social media usage).
Thus, from the model in Table 5, it is supported that for every 1 unit increase in social media usage of the digital entrepreneur, the digital entrepreneurs' performance increases by 0.521 units.

Discussion
This section enlightens the results and discussions concerning the relationship between the independent variables (spousal social support, social network, social media usage) and the dependent variable, which is the (digital entrepreneurs' business performance).

Spousal Social Support and the Digital Entrepreneurs' Performance
The first objective of the research was to establish the relationship between spousal social support and digital entrepreneurs' performance. To realize this objective, it was hypothesized (H1) that there is a statistically significant relationship between spousal social support and the digital entrepreneurs' performance.
To determine the relationship between spousal social support and the digital entrepreneurs' performance, linear regression was first conducted. Then, Pearson's correlation coefficient was examined to determine the size and direction of the relationship and whether it was statistically significant.
The model as a whole was significant to predict that the digital entrepreneurs' performance was affected by spousal social support: The ANOVA model in Table 3 shows that F(1, 312) = 710.202, p < 0.001. The R2 for the overall model was 69.5%, with an adjusted R2 of 69.4%. The model in Table 3 reported a strong size effect. Therefore, this indicates that the predictor variable spousal social support can explain 69.5% of the variation in the digital entrepreneurs' performance.
This expresses that the outcomes are congruent with the literature, suggesting that spousal social support is a statistically significant determinant of digital entrepreneurs' performance. As explicated by (Rasool et al., 2020;Gorgievski et al., 2011;Matzek et al., 2010;De Maris 2010;Mahastanti & Nugrahanti, 2010;Rosenblatt et al., 1985) that spousal social support in the form of emotional and practical support enhances the entrepreneur's performance. Additionally, the findings of this study are parallel to the previous findings of ( Adjei et al., 2019;Vadnjal & Vadnjal, 2013;Danes et al., 2010), who established that social support of the spouse is crucial to attaining entrepreneurial performance. Moreover, the results of this study contradict the findings of (Kurniawan & Sanjaya, 2016;Danes & Olsen, 2003), who mention that a spouse involved in a business is a distraction which leads to misfortunes and poor entrepreneurial performance.

Social Network and the Digital Entrepreneurs' Performance
The second objective of the research was to establish the relationship between the social network and the digital entrepreneurs' performance. To realize this objective, it was hypothesized (H2) that there is a statistically significant relationship between the social network and the digital entrepreneurs' performance.
To determine the relationship between the social network and the digital entrepreneurs' performance, linear regression was first performed. Then, Pearson's correlation coefficient was assessed to determine the size and direction of the relationship and whether it was statistically significant.
The model as a whole was significant to predict that the digital entrepreneurs' performance was affected by social networks: The ANOVA model in Table 4 shows that F(1, 312) = 354.674, p < 0.001. The R2 for the overall model was 53.3%, with an adjusted R2 of 53.1%. The model in Table 4 reported a strong size effect. Therefore, this indicates that the predictor variable social network can explain 53.3% of the variation in the digital entrepreneurs' performance.
This illustrates that the findings are consistent with the literature, suggesting that social network is a statistically significant determinant of digital entrepreneurs' performance. As illuminated by (Dimitriadis & Koning, 2021;Pindado et al., 2018;Sparrowe et al., 2001;Aldrich & Zimmer, 1986), entrepreneurs with greater social networks can exploit new opportunities and ideas. Additionally, (Schlepphorst et al., 2020) discovered that entrepreneurial performance would be uplifted through social networks, barriers to overcome the competition, and business rivalries would be more substantial. Therefore, the findings of these previous researchers are parallel to the findings of this study which indicates that social network is a significant factor in enhancing digital entrepreneurs' performance. Moreover, the result of this study negates the findings of (Klyver et al., 2011;de Bruin et al., 2009;Hakansson et al., 2009;Allen et al., 2007;Bruderl & Preisendörfer, 1998) who mention that social networks are a problem for entrepreneurial performance. This research also nullifies (Bean & Bell-Rose 1999; Gargiulo & Benassi 1999;Portes 1995), who found that social networks can become social liabilities that restrain entrepreneurs from achieving their business objectives and diminish their performance.

Social Media Usage and the Digital Entrepreneurs' Performance
The third objective of the research was to establish the relationship between social media usage and digital entrepreneurs' performance. To realize this objective, it was hypothesized (H3) that there is a statistically significant relationship between social media usage and digital entrepreneurs' performance.
The linear regression was first executed to determine the relationship between social media usage and the digital entrepreneurs' performance. Then, Pearson's correlation coefficient was measured to determine the size and direction of the relationship and whether it was statistically significant.
The model as a whole was significant to predict that the digital entrepreneurs' performance was affected by social media usage: The ANOVA model in Table 5 shows that F(1, 312) = 462.436, p < 0.001. The R2 for the overall model was 59.8%, with an adjusted R2 of 59.7%. The model in Table 5 reported a strong size effect. Therefore, this indicates that the predictor variable social media usage can explain 59.8% of the variation in the digital entrepreneurs' performance.
This indicates that the results are coherent with the literature, suggesting that social media usage is a statistically significant determinant of digital entrepreneurs' performance. As elucidated by (Bhattacharya, 2022;Fan et al., 2021;Kanapathipillai, 2021;Olanrewaju et al., 2020;Celebi & Terkan, 2020;Qureshi et al., 2020;Pratono, 2018), the use of social media enhances the entrepreneurs' performance. Moreover, the result of this study is also parallel to (Bhattacharya, 2022;Kanapathipillai & Mahbob, 2021;Gustafsson & Khan, 2017;Mack et al., 2017;Delerue & Sicotte, 2017;Quinton & Wilson, 2016;Nambisan & Zahra, 2016;Park, Sung, & Im, 2017;Quinton & Wilson, 2016;Fischer & Reuber, 2011) who have enlightened that the use of social media can influence entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and has led to enhanced entrepreneurial innovation and networking which in turn increases entrepreneurs' performance. Additionally, the findings of this research refute the findings of (Ahmad et al., 2019; Gavino et al., 2018;Grimmer et al., 2018;Gavino et al., 2018), who cited that social media usage and the information gathered through social media platforms does not significantly impact entrepreneurial performance.

Conclusion
This conclusion is based on the relationship between spousal social support, social network, social media usage, and digital entrepreneurs' performance in Malaysia.

Spousal Social Support and the Digital Entrepreneurs' Performance
Research question one focused on whether there is a statistically significant relationship between spousal social support and the digital entrepreneurs' performance?
The survey response implied that the findings of this research prove and conclude that spousal social support is statistically significant for the digital entrepreneurs' performance in Malaysia when the Omicron variant wave hit Malaysia in early February 2022. This is parallel to the studies conducted by mainstream researchers (Guihua & Linping, 2021;Rasool et al., 2020;Adjei et al., 2019;McDonald et al., 2017;Cruz et al., 2015), who stressed that spousal social support positively impacted an entrepreneurs' performance.
Without spousal social support, digital entrepreneurs will not be able to manage their businesses and find a balance between work and family. The digital entrepreneurs' spouse was an inspiration and a potent force in steering the digital entrepreneurs to make the right decision during the Omicron variant's onslaught in Malaysia. Additionally, it can be concluded that spousal social support played a significant role in providing economic and social support concurrently to digital entrepreneurs during trials and tribulations. Thus, this study has disclosed, deduced, and shrunk the gap in the literature pertaining to the significance of spousal social support in enhancing the digital entrepreneurs' performance during the Omicron variant wave's cataclysm in Malaysia.

Social Network and the Digital Entrepreneurs' Performance
Research question two is anticipated to determine and resolve if there is a statistically significant relationship between the social network and the digital entrepreneurs' performance?
The survey response indicated a strong statistically significant relationship between the social network and the performance of the digital entrepreneurs during the Omicron variant storm in early February 2022 in Malaysia. Past studies conducted by (Ibrahim et al., 2021;Yani et al., 2020;Weiss et al., 2019;Nasip et al., 2017;Mamun et al., 2016) yielded similar results and supported the conclusion of this study.
In addition to using the digital technologies available, digital entrepreneurs need to establish significantly robust social networks to obtain complementary external resources to achieve the digital entrepreneurs' business objectives.
A formidable social network is a significant source that will enable digital entrepreneurs to achieve astonishing business performance through network interactions, quality of relationships, and external links. Thus, this study has revealed, construed, and narrowed the gap in the literature regarding the significance of social