E-Business Among Ethnic Minority Businesses

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-94
Author(s):  
Martin Beckinsale

A small but growing body of evidence (SBS, 2004; Beckinsale & Ram, 2006) has indicated that Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs) have not adopted Information Communication Technology (ICT) at comparable rates to their non-EMB counterparts predominantly Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). With EMBs accounting for almost 10% of businesses in the UK the economic impact as ICT adoption continues to further develop across mainstream markets could be highly significant. Existing UK ICT policies have also failed to engage with EMBs until the NW ICT Adoption Pilot in 2004. The current, limited body of research is fragmented, provides limited understanding and coherence on reasons of low ICT adoption and lacks exemplars upon which policy considerations may be made. Firstly, the chapter will examine and review the existing body of literature. Secondly, EMB cases that have developed ICT to a degree where they are engaging in eBusiness activity are analysed and discussed. The findings provide a number of options and guidance for EMB owners. Finally, the recommendations point to the need for improved ICT awareness, better business support provision nationally and the importance of generation and education as key drivers.

Author(s):  
Martin Beckinsale

A small but growing body of evidence (SBS, 2004; Beckinsale & Ram, 2006) has indicated that Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs) have not adopted Information Communication Technology (ICT) at comparable rates to their non-EMB counterparts predominantly Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). With EMBs accounting for almost 10% of businesses in the UK the economic impact as ICT adoption continues to further develop across mainstream markets could be highly significant. Existing UK ICT policies have also failed to engage with EMBs until the NW ICT Adoption Pilot in 2004. The current, limited body of research is fragmented, provides limited understanding and coherence on reasons of low ICT adoption and lacks exemplars upon which policy considerations may be made. Firstly, the chapter will examine and review the existing body of literature. Secondly, EMB cases that have developed ICT to a degree where they are engaging in eBusiness activity are analysed and discussed. The findings provide a number of options and guidance for EMB owners. Finally, the recommendations point to the need for improved ICT awareness, better business support provision nationally and the importance of generation and education as key drivers.


2013 ◽  
pp. 1142-1163
Author(s):  
Martin Beckinsale

A small but growing body of evidence (SBS, 2004; Beckinsale & Ram, 2006) has indicated that Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs) have not adopted Information Communication Technology (ICT) at comparable rates to their non-EMB counterparts, predominantly Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). With EMBs accounting for almost 10% of businesses in the UK, the economic impact as ICT adoption continues to further develop across mainstream markets could be highly significant. Existing UK ICT policies also failed to engage with EMBs until the NW ICT Adoption Pilot in 2004. The current, limited body of research is fragmented, provides limited understanding and coherence on reasons of low ICT adoption, and lacks exemplars upon which policy considerations may be made. Firstly, the chapter will examine and review the existing body of literature. Secondly, EMB cases that have developed ICT to a degree where they are engaging in e-business activity are statically and dynamically analysed and discussed. The findings provide a number of options and guidance for EMB owners. Finally, the recommendations point to the need for improved ICT awareness, better business support provision nationally, and the importance of generation and education as key drivers.


Author(s):  
Martin Beckinsale

A small but growing body of evidence (SBS, 2004; Beckinsale & Ram, 2006) has indicated that Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs) have not adopted Information Communication Technology (ICT) at comparable rates to their non-EMB counterparts, predominantly Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). With EMBs accounting for almost 10% of businesses in the UK, the economic impact as ICT adoption continues to further develop across mainstream markets could be highly significant. Existing UK ICT policies also failed to engage with EMBs until the NW ICT Adoption Pilot in 2004. The current, limited body of research is fragmented, provides limited understanding and coherence on reasons of low ICT adoption, and lacks exemplars upon which policy considerations may be made. Firstly, the chapter will examine and review the existing body of literature. Secondly, EMB cases that have developed ICT to a degree where they are engaging in e-business activity are statically and dynamically analysed and discussed. The findings provide a number of options and guidance for EMB owners. Finally, the recommendations point to the need for improved ICT awareness, better business support provision nationally, and the importance of generation and education as key drivers.


2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 737-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javed Hussain ◽  
Harry Matlay ◽  
Jonathan M. Scott

Author(s):  
David Smallbone ◽  
Monder Ram ◽  
David Deakins ◽  
Robert B Aldock

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Sonfield

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the current status and the development of ethnic minority businesses in the USA and in the UK. Comparing the two countries’ past, current, and likely future situations and recognizing that each situation offers some lessons to the other, implications for minority business owners and for those who assist or study such businesses in each country are presented. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents descriptive research and analysis, developed from a thorough study of governmental and non-governmental minority business assistance programs, and of corporate procurement programs, utilizing both primary and secondary sources; governmental, non-governmental organization and corporate publications; and the existing academic and practitioner literature. Findings – Practitioners, consultants, and researchers in both the USA and the UK face considerable regulatory, demographic and other challenges and opportunities over the coming years with regard to the status and progress of minority-owned businesses and the appropriate nature of public and private policies and programs to foster and assist such businesses. Each country can benefit from the other's experience, as discussed and explained in this paper. Practical implications – Specific recommendations are provided for those involved with targeted assistance programs in each country – for practitioners, governmental, and non-governmental program administrators, consultants to such businesses, and those who conduct research with this focus. Originality/value – A search of the existing literature indicates that research with this focus has not been previously published.


Author(s):  
Carlton Brown

This chapter attempts to comprehend the complexity, nuances, and inherent challenges that exist amongst corporate social responsibility (CSR) and purchasing social responsibility (PSR) in the public and private sectors, within the context of ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) in the UK. As noted by Carter and Jennings and the Institute of Supply Chain Management, there is now a need to discuss ethnic minority businesses in the same context as human rights as there are such inequalities in both fields.


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