Factors Affecting Family Business Succession in the Food Hawking Business in Malaysia

Food hawking businesses around the world largely contribute to the economy of countries and provides much needed jobs that feed employment, even though earnings are low. The food hawking business in Malaysia is under threat of extinction due to the reluctance of the next generation in taking over the food hawking businesses from the elderships. As research in the area of family business succession is scarce, this study serves to add to the theoretical aspect of the area. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of vending environment, operating hours, successor willingness, relationship among family members and preparation level of heir on the intention of family succession in the food hawking business in Malaysia. Leader’s approval was also studied as a potential moderator. The methodology used was a questionnaire survey study design with a sample size of 208, respondents were obtained via convenience sampling from Kuala Lumpur and Penang as hawkers are abundant in these two locations. Findings show that vending environment, successor willingness, relationship among family members and preparation level of heir have a signicant effect on the intention of family succession in the food hawking business in Malaysia. Leader’s approval was found to be insignicant as a moderator. Operating hours was not signicant, possibly due to the difference in importance placed by Malaysian hawkers in succession.

shown to be essential in Malaysian tourism and the local economy. This research will be conducted to investigate the factors affecting family business succession in the food hawking business in Malaysia.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Despite the importance of street food in the tourism sector and economy of Malaysia, food hawkers in Malaysia are in danger of extinction. Hawkers in Singapore are facing a similar fate where the number of licensed street hawkers has decreased from 846 hawkers in 2010 to 561 hawkers in 2016 (Department of Statistics, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Republic of Singapore, 2017). Research has indicated that only 21% of total interviewed sample of Penang hawkers have a succession plan (Chong, 2019). The reluctance of the younger generation or children of these hawkers to carry on the street food business as a career is a major factor (Henderson et al., 2012;Chong,2019). If not addressed, street food in Malaysia may not survive and will negatively affect the economy of Malaysia. From a knowledge standpoint, although studies on family business succession have been done, many family businesses still fail before succession (Lucky, Minai & Isaiah, 2011).
Many sources have reported that the vending environment (Kei, 2015;Kok, 2018;Kuratko & Hodgetts, 2004;Westhead, 2003), operating hours (Kei, 2015;Kok, 2018;Chong, 2019), preparation level of heir (Lam, 2007;Castillo, 2006;Lorna, 2010;Sardeshmukh & Corbett, 2011;Mokhber et al., 2017), relationship among family members (Castillo, 2006;Lorna, 2010;Mokhber et al., 2017;Kaunda & Nkhoma, 2013;Helin & Jabri, 2016), and successor willingness (Tarulevicz, 2018; may have an effect on the succession of family businesses. These variables may be the key to understanding and solving the research problems of family hawker business succession in Malaysia. The potential moderation effect of the leader's or eldership's approval has also been tested in previous research by . It is noteworthy however, that most studies in the eld of family business succession were performed in a non-food, non-hawker setting. As such, it is important to study the effects of the variables from these studies in the family hawker business setting of Malaysia. The food hawking business of Penang contributes greatly to the tourism sector and economy of Penang and thus Malaysia. Despite this, the street food businesses in Penang is on its last legs as majority of hawkers do not have a succession plan (Chong, 2019). Suggestions have been made for an in-depth study to determine the future supply of food hawkers, this will ensure food hawking sustainability (Chong, 2019). The perception of the food hawking business must also be made attractive for the younger generation to pursue as a career. On the contrary, research on succession and the factors affecting family business succession are scarce (Lucky, Minai and Isaiah, 2011). Research on family businesses are also slow going, this makes it necessary to increase our understanding in the area of family business (Heck et al., 2008). This study will improve the limited number of family business research and will help to identify factors affecting family business succession and further understand the relationship of the variables chosen. This study will also help the endangered food hawking businesses in Malaysia, for a more sustainable business and economy. This study will also encourage the younger people in pursuing their family owned food hawking business. Studies in the area of family business succession are limited and family business failure are apparent in the succession stage, despite availability of existing research. This study will help identify factors affecting family business succession, as it is of great importance to systematically identify the reasons that contribute to the survival of successful family rms across generations (Basco, Calabrò & Campopiano, 2018). Tarulevicz (2018) has highlighted the growing concern of family hawker business succession and postulates that if studies on the topic continue to be scarce, so will the hawkers of today. Au (2018) mentions that research trends in family businesses have increased in the past years as researchers and business practitioners realize the importance. From a theory perspective, this study can provide academic insight into the problems faced by family hawker businesses during succession and can help to increase comprehension and expansion on family business research theory. By doing so, an evidence-based approach backed by academic research can be con dently applied to solve practical family business issues.

REVIEW ON INDEPENDENT VARIABLES AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES
Linkage of literature review to the problem statement In recent years, there has been increasing attention in the area of family business succession from academicians. Family business research is said to be shifting into the main stream with a growing number of papers appearing in leading journals; many journals have published special devoted issues on family business research (Au, 2018). This section will provide a brief overview of the current state of family business research.
Starting with earlier research studies on family business succession, a critical review was carried out on the early available literature. Collins (2010) studied the implications for family owned business successions. The study stated that individual, organization and family affected family business succession; issues surrounding research methodology was also analysed. Miller, Steier & Le Breton-Miller (2003) performed research on the failure of family business in relationship to succession. The study stated that succession strategy, government, organisation and culture played important roles in succession. Lam (2009) concluded that founder and successor are major factors that would affect family business succession. However, this study did not explore the other factors outside of the family that other studies had explored. Lucky, Minai & Isaiah (2011) mentioned that relationship management, team work, leadership and successor preparation would affect succession in family business. Kuratko & Hodgetts (2004) stated that environment, internal factors and external factors affect family business succession, however, the study inconsistent on what internal and external factors are. Westhead (2003) explored internal and external environment, concluding that external environment would affect the family business succession. Sardeshmukh & Corbett (2011) studied on how preparation of successors would lead to opportunity recognition in family owned businesses and lead to succession, the study concluded that successor preparation is signi cant.
Critically reviewing the available contemporary studies on family business succession has also yielded results that indicate an increase in academic interest compared to earlier times. The area is actively researched by the Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practices (STEP) Project. STEP is a global applied research initiative and collaborative effort by participating scholars whose objective is to perform research into the successful entrepreneurial practices of family businesses over time. STEP performs both qualitative and quantitative research. STEP researches aim to disseminate evidence-based knowledge through publications and summits with families (Basco, Calabrò & Campopiano, 2018). More details on STEP's academic contributions and references will be discussed in the "Theoretical Framework" section of this research paper.
The Cross Cultural & Strategic Management (CCSM), is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes high impact global cross cultural and strategic management research. CCSM has acknowledged that the ventures and businesses created by families are the most dominant type of business worldwide (Basco, Calabrò & Campopiano, 2018). CCSM has since stepped up their initiatives into family business research and is actively drawing more submissions on the area to their journal (Au, 2018).
Entrepreneurship Theory and Policy (ETP)is one of the many journals that have devoted special issues to family business research, such as the issue of "Governance Mechanisms and Family Firms". It is the 14th special issue on family enterprise theories published in the ETP journal (Chrisman, Chua, Le Breton-Miller, Miller & Steier, 2018). Au (2018) has identi ed based on a systematic review on the literature of family business research that the available studies has increased over the past few years. It is therefore clear from the literature review that the area of family business succession and family business research in general is much needed to provide in-depth academic comprehension and positive practical implications.
Tarulevicz (2018) published a journal article examining the aging hawker crisis in Singapore and reviewing actions of the Singaporean government in addressing this issue. The article agrees that a change in status for hawking by image overhaul is necessary for improving public perception and survival of hawking for the future.
Wang, Lo & Weng (2019) examined the issue of business succession and analyzed the impact of successor knowledge and successor willingness on corporate sustainable innovation and successful business succession. Sustainable innovation in the context of this study is de ned as protecting the inherent values of a business and supporting the sustainability of that business through appropriate successors.

Linkage of study variables in the conceptual framework
The literature review has identi ed common factors that various studies have concluded to have an effect on family business succession. They are: preparation level of successor (Lam, 2007;Castillo, 2006;Lorna, 2010;Sardeshmukh & Corbett, 2011), planning activities (Miller et al.,2003;Castillo, 2006;Sardeshmukh & Corbett, 2011), family relationship (Lorna, 2010;Castillo 2006), environment (Lorna, 2010;Kuratko et al., 2004;westhead, 2003). These factors have been identi ed to have an effect on family business succession as they have been constantly used and researched in past research, they have thus been chosen to make the conceptual framework of this study on family hawking business succession in Malaysia.
In addition to the above, Mokhber et al., (2017) investigated the in uence of succession planning factors on the performance of Malaysian SMEs by quantitative research; the study found that both preparation level of heir and the relationship between family members have a positive relationship to overall family business succession and thus performance. Kaunda & Nkhoma (2013) showed that con icts may have devastating effects during the succession process in a family business. Positive relationship between families and good communication are also needed for effective succession (Helin & Jabri, 2016).
In addition to the studies mentioned above, environment has not been thoroughly explored in most of the past academic studies even though it has been mentioned in the theoretical frameworks used in the research of family business succession. A critical review has been carried out on the effects of environment on family business succession, with priority to the food hawking business. It has been stated that work environment for food hawking is demanding, the work carried out by hawkers are laborious (Chong, 2019). An interview conducted by independent media publisher, The Smart Local Singapore revealed that Singaporean hawkers are faced with the challenge of hot, small and cramped environments (Kei, 2015). This shows that vending environment might have an in uence on the family hawking business succession.
A survey interview on food hawker working hours in Penang found that 65% of hawkers operate their hawking business at no less than 7 hours daily. 84% of the 75% open 6 days a week, this does not account for preparation and closing (Chong, 2019). Kei (2015) has identi ed through an interview with hawkers In Singapore that the long operating hours cannot be helped given the increasing costs of living in Singapore. There are also ongoing efforts by the Singapore National Environment Agency to reduce the number of mandatory opening days from six days a week to ve as well as changing the minimum operating hours to better accommodate hawkers (Sim, 2018). This shows that operating hours may also affect family hawking business succession.
Many studies have also shown a correlation between working environment satisfaction and job satisfaction, which may have an effect on business succession. Raziq & Maulabakhsh (2015) mentioned that the physical working environment or social working conditions may affect job satisfaction in organisations; the same study also said that working hours can affect job satisfaction. Lane, Esser, Holte, & Mccusker, (2010) has also stated that working hours may affect job satisfaction. Several businesses that choose to ignore the working environment will also result in adverse effects on employee performance; A Danish study found that that a rm can increase productivity through the improvement of the physical dimensions of the working environment (Razaiq & Maulabakhsh, 2015). Bakotić & Babić, (2013) concluded in their study that workers who worked under harsh working conditions were found to be dissatis ed with their jobs, the study stated that this would be solved by improving working conditions. Although these studies were not done in the context of family business succession, they provide insight into the role of working environment and operating hours on job satisfaction, which may in uence business succession. Badawy, Alaadin & Magdy (2016) found a positive correlation between job satisfaction and succession planning, which may be an indication of increasing intention of business succession when job satisfaction is increased. Tarulevicz (2018) has also reported in their review that most current young hawkers had high position jobs before choosing to become hawkers voluntarily. The article reports on many individuals such as bankers, engineers and marketing specialists who willingly gave up their jobs for their family's hawker business. The article also mentions that they do not mind if the hawker venture fails but possess deep passion and courage to pursue hawking. This indicates that successor willingness plays a huge role in determining family hawker business succession as one would be willing to succeed a family hawker business through personal values and passion. Kok (2018) reported that many hawkers were not satis ed with the long working hours, low wages and non-existent employment bene ts. The article also stated that young Singaporean hawkers did not see the bene t of working in a hot and cramped environment with low pro t.
Majority of existing studies have assumed that the family business is no longer involved in management. As a result, the conceptual framework used separates ownership and management, this is not applicable to small family businesses. A conceptual framework has been constructed in reference to past literature for this study.  hypothesized in their study that the independent variables of successor knowledge and succession willingness are positively correlated to the dependent variable of sustainable innovation or successful family business succession. The study also hypothesized that leader approval or the incumbent family leader's approval would act as a moderating variable that has a positive interference between both successor knowledge and succession willingness. The study found that leader approval has no signi cant impact on successor knowledge but has signi cant positive impact on succession willingness. In other words, the leadership positions of family businesses held by elders are often not willing to delegate power, thus, the leader's willingness to delegate power and to approve of the successor is of great importance to the successor's willingness to succeed in the family business. Hench, leader approval will be examined in this study as a moderator variable between the interdependent variable of successor willingness and the dependent variable of family business succession in the food hawking business in Malaysia.
Successor willingness as an independent variable and leader approval as a moderating variable will be included in the conceptual framework of this study; as both variables have been examined by  and were found to be signi cant towards successful family business succession.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Theoretical frameworks and academic approaches related to family business succession used in the available literature include agency costs theory, resource-based theory (RBV), corporate entrepreneurship strategy stewardship theory, and behavioural agency theory (Perri & Peruffo, 2017).
The agency theory states that an agent or individual can act in his or her own interest as opposed to the interest of principal, this will result in moral and decision problems, this will lower the economic standing of the company as additional costs are needed for incentives and management change (Eisenhardt, 1989). However, when ownership and management converge and family is involved, this becomes less of an issue (Eisenhardt, 1989). Family rms can reduce the negative effects of agency theory as parents are generous towards their children. Family managers tend to act out of family generosity than for incentives (Chen & Nowland, 2010). The key points here are relationship among family members and planning activities, which can potentially reduce the agency problems.
The resource-based theory is also relevant to family businesses. It states that different resources lead to varying degree of performance of a company, the business value depends on resource management (Barney, 1991). It is proposed that successful family rms are a result of strategic management of family traits such as having good family relationship, increasing productivity (Zellweger, Nason & Nordqvist, 2011). Other studies have shown that traits such as loyalty and respect contribute to family business success (Hoffman, Hoelscher & Sorenson, 2006). This theory involves preparation level of heir and family relationship, family managers feel motivated by family and improve employee interaction and prepares the family business heir for success.
The stewardship theory states that in a business, the agent is internally motivated by being in a family business as opposed to being opportunistic in the agency theory and hence act as stewards (Le Breton- Miller & Miller, 2009). Family managers feel a sense of belonging in the rm, non-family managers being led by family owners reciprocate this relationship and work with each other to a common goal (Pearson & Marler, 2010). Relationship with family members is the main point that this theory highlights.
Family business succession has also been qualitatively researched by the Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practices (STEP) global research consortium founded by scholarly a liates; this research project has introduced the concept of transgenerational entrepreneurship. The transgenerational entrepreneurship concept has been de ned as the "processes that a family uses to develop entrepreneurial qualities and unique family capabilities that lead to new entrepreneurship value across generations" (Basco, Calabrò & Campopiano, 2018).
The concept integrates two main academic theories or approaches that STEP deems best t the theories for family business succession research. The two academic theories or approaches integrated are: rstly, the resource-based view as mentioned previously; family business competitive advantage is gained by the ability of family businesses to create, sustain and utilise unique and not easily imitated resources and capabilities (Basco, Calabrò & Campopiano, 2018). The second academic approach is the corporate entrepreneurship strategy; this strategy emphasizes on innovation and entrepreneurship activities. Corporate entrepreneurship strategy enables an established business to develop novel ideas and opportunities for the continual improvement of organisational processes and competitive advantage (Zur & Walega, 2015). A company is said to carry out corporate entrepreneurship in order to enhance knowledge-based capital, improve innovation or to exploit business opportunities (Afshar Jahanshahi, Nawaser & Brem, 2018). In the context of family business, corporate entrepreneurship ensures that family businesses are able to leverage and transfer the unique resources of family entrepreneurial thinking skills for future innovation and success.
The transgenerational entrepreneurship concept can be viewed as STEP's conceptual framework for family business succession which combines both theoretical frameworks of resource-based view and corporate entrepreneurship strategy. The resource-based view suggests that unique family entrepreneurial mindsets emerge from family relationship and their interaction with the family business. The family relationship and interactions are seen as unique, inimitable, rare and valuable resources which leads to sustainable competitive advantage. The resource-based view is necessary but not su cient for family businesses to be successful over generations; family businesses must also ensure the establishment of processes to leverage the said unique resources. In other words, a family business will not succeed with the resources alone but will require an entrepreneurial orientation to put the resources to good use. This is hence why the corporate entrepreneurial strategy has been integrated into the transgenerational entrepreneurship concept. The corporate entrepreneurial strategy ensures that family businesses develop sound entrepreneurial qualities and objectives which will enable future generations to use the unique resources for sustainable competitive advantage and ensure family business sustainability (Basco, Calabrò & Campopiano, 2018).
In respect to all the theoretical frameworks discussed here, the resource-based view is deemed the most dominant theoretical framework for this study; as RBV can best support and explain the relationship of the independent variables and the dependent variable. RBV has also been used in previous family business research as seen by STEP and can be supported by prior research. Therefore, the RBV will serve as the supporting theoretical framework for this research study. H6: The relationship between vending environment and family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia will be stronger when leader approval is strong.
H7: The relationship between operating hours and family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia will be stronger when leader approval is strong.
H8: The relationship between preparation level of heir and family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia will be stronger when leader approval is strong.
H9: The relationship between relationship among family members and family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia will be stronger when leader approval is strong.
H10: The relationship between successor willingness and family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia will be stronger when leader approval is strong.

RESEARCH DESIGN
A questionnaire survey was administered with the aim of investigating the factors of vending environment, operating hours, public perception, preparation level of heir, relationship among family members, planning activities, successor willingness and leader approval on family succession in the food hawking business in Malaysia. The heirs/successors of food hawker businesses in Malaysia were chosen as the unit of analysis, as they are the targeted population for this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used as the instrument for the collection of empirical data from the unit of analysis.
This study was a quantitative and cross-sectional study. A cross sectional approach was selected for this study due to the lack of time; this also allows for the collection of complete information without a long wait period (Bahrick, Bahrick & Wittlinger, 1975). Furthermore, follow-up is not necessary in a crosssectional study and thus is faster, cost effective and less resource intense (Mann, 2003).
Regarding the ethical considerations of this study; a consent form was developed and survey approval obtained from the appropriate postgraduate school ethics committee and entities with the UCSI institution. Research participants was informed of their rights and was required to provide consent by an attached form before proceeding to the survey. The appropriate information was disclosed in the consent form. The survey study is voluntary and anonymous in nature; all collected information was kept strictly con dential and only used for the sole purpose of this research study. Participants were allowed to stop participating in the survey at any time should they feel any discomfort or have a change of mind. Participating in the research poses no foreseeable harm.

Target Population
The target population was the heirs/successors of food hawker businesses in Malaysia, as the successors will give the appropriate information regarding the factors that affect family business succession in the food hawking business Malaysia; this yielded the relevant information to test the study hypotheses.

Sampling Method
Non-probability convenience sampling was chosen to be the sampling method due to the ease of execution, cost effectiveness and time e ciency given the limited time duration (Jager, Putnick & Bornstein, 2017). Convenience sampling was also the most suitable sampling method for this study as there are no o cial Malaysian records that show how many family-owned hawker businesses there are in Malaysia. There are no additional criteria to convenience sampling except that the individual be available and willing to participate (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2012). Snowball sampling method where one respondent provides the researcher with at least one more potential respondent was also be used to secure respondents (Kirchherr & Charles, 2018).

Sampling Location
The sampling location at which data collection was carried out was Kuala Lumpur and Penang island.
The sampling location was such because hawkers are abundant and scattered all over Kuala Lumpur and Penang island. As mentioned, Penang has been said to be the world's best street food destination (New Straits Time, 2016;Time Magazine, 2004). Kuala Lumpur is also famous for its dense hawker centres such as the famous Jalan Alor street at Bukit Bintang (Time Out KL, 2014).

Sampling Size
The rule of thumb for recommended sample size ranges from the item-response ratio of 1:4 to 1:10 sample size for this study ranged from 148 to 370 respondents.

Research Instrument
The    (Perret, 2016) The questions and statements of the questionnaire were translated into Chinese to promote comprehension. The translation was done by means of back translation; a process where a text is translated into a target language and then re-translated back to the original language by another translator who is unaware of the original text (Tsang, Royse & Terkawi, 2017). This process was then repeated if discrepancies were found between the original text and the back-translated text. The translated text was then considered to have the same meaning as the original text.
A pre-test was conducted by consultation with various individuals in the hawker business as they were representative of the target population, this was done to ensure the items are meaningful to the target population before the full-scale survey was carried out. Pre-testing is said to ensure: (a) confusing questions are identi ed and improved for clarity, (b) questions that are di cult to answer are identi ed and corrected, (c) questions are producing the intended data (Boateng, Neilands, Frongillo, Melgar-Quiñonez & Young, 2018). Pre-testing has helped eliminate poorly worded items and word revision to ensure maximum comprehension by the target population. Two items were dropped and ve items were reworded after the pre-test interview was carried out. Modi cations were also made to the grammar and words for better understanding.
A pilot test was also carried out to ensure the reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaire.
Reliability refers to the degree of consistency shown when measurements are repeated under identical conditions (Boateng, Neilands, Frongillo, Melgar-Quiñonez & Young, 2018). The recommended sample size for the pilot test was said to be 10% of the projected sample size for the large parent study (Connelly, 2008;Whitehead, Julious, Cooper & Campbell, 2015). Hence, the appropriate sample size for the pilot test for this study was 15 to 37 respondents, considering the appropriate sample size for this study ranges from 148 to 370 respondents as mentioned earlier. An alpha value of 0.60 to 0.70 is considered moderate and an alpha value of 0.70 and above is considered optimal (Taber, 2017). A sample size of 35 respondents was obtained for the pilot test. Table 3.3 shows the Cronbach Alpha results from the pilot test, the values range from 0.809 to 0.911. All variables have ful lled the reliability test and are considered to be of optimal value according to Taber, (2017). The types of data relevant to this research include primary data and secondary data, as both will be collected and used throughout this study. Primary data was collected through the questionnaire survey. Secondary data on the other hand was obtained from literature; journals, research papers, news articles and text from the appropriate credible sources.
For primary data, self-administered questionnaires of ve-point Likert scale was used to collect primary data from the sample population for this study. This is a cross sectional quantitative study, as such, a questionnaire is the most appropriate considering the limited time available. Questionnaires are also easier to administer, time e cient and economical in nature (Mann, 2003).
For secondary data, primary studies and research papers were collected by conducting a database search on electronic online databases. Such as Emerald Management, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Springer etc. The search was performed by using the appropriate key words and Boolean operators for a more e cient search. AND, OR and NOT are Boolean operators named after mathematician George Boole and was used ("George Boole | British mathematician", 2019).

DATA ANALYSIS METHOD Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive statistics was used to describe and illustrate the characteristics of respondents such as age, sex, race, monthly income, highest educational level and marital status. This information was presented using a table of frequency and percentage. The central tendencies and dispersion of the variables were also measured. The mean measured the average score of each variable, the standard deviation showed the deviation between the data ndings and the mean. (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2012).

Reliability Test
Reliability Testing or internal consistency analysis was used to test the reliability of the respective constructs by Cronbach's Coe cient Alpha.
Cronbach's Alpha was used to ensure variable inter-correlation or internal consistency of the questionnaire survey. Taber (2017) argues based on a meta-analysis and critical review that researchers should strive for an alpha value of 0.70 and above; alpha values of 0.60 to 0.70 are considered moderate.

Normality Test
Normality testing was used to identify if the data set is normally distributed as the collected data must obey parametric tests assumptions for parametric testing. Skewness and kurtosis testing were performed to test normality of the collected data. Kline (2011) stated that the acceptable deviation of data from normality is within the range of ±3 for skewness and ±10 for kurtosis.

Pearson's Correlation Analysis
Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to measure the correlation between the variables. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to identify the strength and direction of the linear relationship between the dependent variable (Intention of Family Succession in the Food Hawking Business in Malaysia) and the independent variables or predictors (vending environment, operating hours, preparation level of heir, relationship among family members and successor willingness).
Pearson's correlation analysis can also identify multicollinearity which is said to occur if the coe cient value between independent variables exceed 0.9 (Rhoton, 2014).

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLR)
Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyse the multivariate relationship of the independent variables and the dependent variable. Multiple linear regression was used for assessing relationships between the dependent variable and the independent variables that allows the prediction of outcomes of the dependent variable using a linear combination of independent variables.
Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out as the collected data ful ls the assumptions of MLR analysis; reliability, normality and multicollinearity. This study is considered a complex model as it possesses ve independent variables and is best analysed using MLR analysis (Gunzler & Morris, 2015).
The relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables is considered to be signi cant if the p-value of the particular IV is less than 0.05 (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2012).

Moderation Analyses
A moderator variable is de ned as a variable that modi es the strength of relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable (MacKinnon, 2011). These results will then be used in the decision to accept or reject the research hypotheses.

Demographic Pro le of Respondents
The demographic information yielded from the questionnaire includes the respondent's sex, age, race, highest education level, marital status, total monthly household income and state.     respondents. 23% earn below RM2500, 55.8% earn RM2500 to RM6500, 10.1% earn RM6500 to RM10500, 8.7% earn RM10500 to RM14500 and 1.9% earn RM14500 to RM18500.     Table 4.2 presents the mean and standard deviation scores for all questionnaire items for each construct.
The mean for vending environment ranges from 3.39 to 3.52, operating hours range from 3.30 to 3.61, preparation level of heir range from 3.50 to 3.72, relationship among family members range from 3.92 to 4.03, successor willingness range from 3.61 to 3.77, leader's approval range from 3.43 to 3.70 and the dependent variable of intention of family succession in the food hawking business in Malaysia range from 3.48 to 3.57. This shows that most item responses were answered with "neutral" or "agree", with exception to "relationship among family members" which indicate were most answered with "agree" or "strongly agree". The standard deviation for all variables lies between the range of 0.814 to 1.116.   Table 4.4 shows the skewness and kurtosis summary for each item in the questionnaire. Measures of kurtosis and skewness can be used to determine the normality of data, acceptable values of skewness ranges from -3 to +3 and kurtosis ranges from -10 to +10 (Kline, 2015). As all items of the questionnaire ful l these criteria, the sample data is said to be normally distributed.  Table 4.5 shows the model summary, with an R square value of 0.643. This indicates that 64.3% of the variation in the dependent variable (family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia) can be explained by the independent variables in the study. Consequently, this also shows that 35.7% of the variation in the dependent variable is accounted for by other predictor variables that are not tested in this study. From table 4.5, the F-value (72.913) shown is also large with a p-value (<0.001) that is way below 0.05, indicating a statistically signi cant result. This indicates that at least one of the ve independent variables can be used in modelling the dependent variable; in order words, the correlation between the study model and the dependent variable is statistically signi cant. Hence, model t is achieved.  Table 4.6 shows the tolerance, variance in ation factors and condition index of the independent variables that satis es the assumption of no multicollinearity. According to Hair et al. (2010) has suggested a tolerance value of greater than 0.1, a variation in ation factor of not more than 10 and a condition index value of not more than 30 to ensure that multicollinearity among independent variables does not exist. As seen in table 4.12, all tolerance values, variance in ation factors and condition index values satisfy these conditions.    The scatterplot and the histogram both indicate normal distribution which also indicates linearity of data.
Ful lling the linearity assumption of data. Thus, all four assumptions of, normality, linearity, homoscedasticity and no multicollinearity have been ful lled.

Hypotheses
Testing Table 4.7 shows the respective beta and t values. The beta (β) values is used to determine which independent variable has the most effect on the dependent variable (Hair et al., 2010). Vending environment (β=0.288) is seen as having the greatest effect on the dependent variable (family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia), followed by preparation level of heir (β=0.262), relationship among family members (β=0.256) and successor willingness (β=0.145). indicates the mean value of the dependent variable when all independent variables equal zero. Table 4.8 shows the impact of the potential moderator, leader's approval on the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable. As seen in model 3 of the table, leader's approval was found to be not signi cant in the moderation of any of the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Step 1 refers to regression with IV dimensions.

Moderator Analysis
Step 2 refers to regression with IV dimensions and the moderator (Leader's Approval).
Step 3 refers to regression with IV dimensions, moderator and interaction terms.

INTRODUCTION
This nal section will discuss the results obtained from the data analyses by discussing the results in relation to pass literature and studies, as described in the literature review. This section will also provide implications of the study, limitations, recommendations for future studies, as well as a conclusion for the study.

Vending Environment
The hypothesis is supported, vending environment satisfaction is signi cantly related to family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia. The results agree with the reports of Kei (2015) and Kok (2018), as it was reported that young hawkers did not see the bene ts of working in an unsatisfactory work environment that was both hot and cramped; this made them less likely to succeed the family hawker business. Other studies (Kuratko & Hodgetts, 2004;Westhead, 2003) done on work environment effects on family succession were performed in a non-hawker and non-food service setting.
These studies also assumed that family rms are no longer involved in management and therefore separates ownership from management. Therefore, the result can be viewed as a new and novel nding in family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia, in comparison to these studies.

Preparation Level of Heir
The hypothesis is supported, preparation level of heir is signi cantly related to family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia. The result agrees with the reports of Lam (2007), Castillo (2006), Lorna (2010), Sardeshmukh & Corbett (2011) and Mokhber et al., (2017). However, it is worth noting that these studies were also performed in a non-hawker and non-food service setting that assumed the separation of family from management. Therefore, the ndings of preparation level of heir on the family hawker business succession can also be viewed as a new and novel nding in the family hawker business succession topic.

Relationship Among Family Members
The hypothesis is supported, relationship among family members is signi cantly related to family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia. The results are in agreement with Castillo (2006), Lorna (2010), Mokhber et al., (2017), Kaunda & Nkhoma (2013) and Helin & Jabri (2016). These studies were performed once again in a non-hawker and non-food service setting that assume the separation of family from management; the target sample population for these studies were family successors of large family rms and not small family businesses. Hence, the ndings of relationship among family members and family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia can be seen as new and novel.

Successor Willingness
The hypothesis is supported, successor willingness is signi cantly related to family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia. The result is in agreement with the ndings of Tarulevicz (2018). The study of Tarulevicz (2018) is more similar to this study as it examines the likelihood of potential family successors in the food hawking business in Singapore; it is therefore similar in terms of the target population. The ndings are aligned with the results of this study as Tarulevicz (2018) reported that if successors were willing to succeed the family hawker business, they would do so regardless of their current job and income. The results are also in agreement with  that successor willingness in uences the sustainability of a business through appropriate successors in a family rm; it should be noted however that this study examined large family rms as opposed to small family run businesses.

Operating Hours
The hypothesis is not supported, operating hours is not signi cantly related to family succession in the food hawking business of Malaysia. This factor is insigni cant as compared to the reports of long working hours dissatisfaction by hawkers (Chong, 2019;Kei, 2015;Kok, 2018). Kei (2015) and Kok (2018) reported that hawkers in Singapore were not satis ed with their working hours. This difference may be due to the fact that hawkers in Malaysia may not put as much emphasise on the working hours when family succession is considered.

Leader's Approval
Leader's approval was found to be not signi cant as a moderator to all ve hypotheses. The non-existent moderation for all the study hypothesis could be due to the fact that Wang, Lo & Weng (2019) studied the effects of leader's approval as a moderating variable in the context of large family business rms that assume the separation of family from management. The study recruited participants who were already not involved in the management of the business, therefore, leader's approval in that study may have had a different effect towards the succession of family members in a large family rm.

Managerial Implications
Based on the results of this study, vending environment has the largest in uence on the family hawker business succession in Malaysia. As such, it is the responsibility of the Malaysian government and the city councils of respective states in Malaysia to ensure that the operating environment of hawkers is satisfactory in terms of the tools, space and maintenance. For example, the city council of Kuala Lumpur or Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) recognise the positive contribution of hawkers and petty traders to the economy of the county and encourages development of hawker areas and petty traders.
DBKL has also devised plans to relocate hawkers to permanent building locations to improve the work environment of hawkers ("Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020: Commerce", 2020).
The second most signi cant factor on the family hawker business succession in Malaysia found in this study is preparation level of heir. Hawker elderships should ensure that potential family successors are trained and equipped with proper professional qualities and capabilities that are associated with the hawker business. Hawker elderships may incorporate training and oversee the progress of their potential successors to achieve a better probability of family succession. The eldership should also promote interpersonal community relationships in the potential successor to improve their preparation to serve the needs of the community as customers of their business. Wang, Lo & Weng (2015) has also concluded that preparation level of heir is signi cant in ensuring the sustainability of a business.
The third most signi cant factor found in this study is relationship among family members. Therefore, hawker owners or elderships should strive to improve their relationship with their family members, as this will ensure a higher probability of succession in their food hawking business. Hawker elderships should strive to improve their relationship with their successor as supported by Castillo (2006), Lorna (2010), Mokhber et al., (2017), Kaunda & Nkhoma (2013) and Helin & Jabri (2016). This will also help to ensure a higher probability of hawker business sustainability.
Successor willingness is the fourth most signi cant factor in this study and can be cultivated and improved by doing all the above; improving relationship among family members, preparation level of heir and vending environment. Doing so will increase the probability of successor willingness in the potential successor as the hawker business will become a more attractive career option. Therefore, the respective stakeholders such as the hawker elders and the government of Malaysia should prioritize these variables when taking action to ensure that time and resources can be used e ciently. This study will aid the endangered food hawking businesses in Malaysia, for a more sustainable business and economy. This study will also encourage the younger people in pursuing their family owned food hawking business.

Theoretical Implications
This study has expanded upon the theory for more in-depth studies to determine the future supply of food hawkers to ensure food hawking sustainability as suggested by Chong (2019). This study will also contribute to the scarce research on succession and the factors affecting family business succession as reported by Lucky, Minai and Isaiah (2011). As pointed out by Heck et al. (2008), it is necessary to increase the research output in the area of family business research; of which this study has also contributed to. This study will further improve the small number of family business research and help in the identi cation of factors affecting family business succession. This will ensure further increase comprehension of the relationship of the variables chosen. This study is also useful towards the uni cation of family business theory with the practical managerial applications in real life, ensuring an evidence-based approach when attempting to solve family business succession issues.
As mentioned, most family succession studies were performed on large family rms and organisations that assume the separation of family members from managerial responsibilities. This study contributes to the even smaller number of studies performed on small family businesses and hawker businesses; where ownership and managerial responsibilities lie with the same individual family member.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Sample size insu ciency threatens the validity and generalizability of results (Vasileiou, Barnett, Thorpe, & Young, 2018). As a result, the sample size in this study may not be su ciently representative of the entire hawker population of Malaysia; therefore, these results must be interpreted in the appropriate context and may not be su ciently generalisable to all hawkers in Malaysia. Non probability convenience sampling was used in this study due to time constraints; convenience sampling is subjected to sampling bias attributed to possible under-representation of subgroups in the target population (Bornstein, Jager, & Putnick, 2013). The results thus cannot be generalised to the target population due to potential bias; the inferences made should be interpreted only about the study sample itself. The questionnaire survey methodology is also prone to response bias, where respondents respond inaccurately or falsely to questions which may negatively affect the validity of the questionnaire surveys (Furnham, 1986). Although steps have been taken to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, irritated respondents may resort to untruthful answers which may in uence the outcomes of the study.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
Due to time constraints, a cross sectional approach was used to perform this study. It is recommended that future studies in this area consider a longitudinal approach. This is to enable analysis of these variables over a prolonged period of time (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, (2002). It is also recommended that researchers increase the sample size to improve questionnaire validity and generalisation of results over the target population (Vasileiou, Barnett, Thorpe, & Young, 2018). The conceptual framework should either be revised or expanded upon by including additional variables of interest in order to test the relationship of these new variables to the dependent variable. The qualitative interview methodology may also be used to obtain more detailed personal information, allow more detailed questions to be asked and to clarify ambiguity that can arise with questionnaire surveys (Weiss, 1995).

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, four out of ve study variables (vending environment, preparation level of heir, relationship among family members and successor willingness) were found to be signi cant in the successful family succession in the food hawking business in Malaysia. The level of signi cance in ascending order are successor willingness, vending environment, preparation level of heir and relationship among family members. Operating hours was found to be not signi cantly related, possibly due to the differences in importance and consideration by Malaysian Hawkers in family hawker succession. Leader's approval as a moderator was found to be not signi cant in the research model, this may be due to potential family successors not putting weightage on or being indifferent to the approval of the eldership in the context of a hawker business. Additional empirical studies are required to test the relationships in different settings and further validate the results.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
The author declares no con ict of interest in preparing this article.

Supplementary Files
This is a list of supplementary les associated with this preprint. Click to download.