Abstract
Purpose: This paper explores the role of enterprise education and ownership succession in ethnic minority family firms in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach: We have developed a complex conceptual model of ethnic minority graduates‟ economic activities and the influence of enterprise education and entrepreneurial learning, in addition to an exemplar case study (which is illustrative, not analytical) of an ethnic minority graduate who returned to a family firm.
Findings: Current enterprise education provision is insufficiently customised, failing to take account of socio-cultural differences between minority and indigenous students. We, therefore, suggest that case studies based on co-ethnic role models should be more widely used – as well as a greater emphasis upon intrapreneurship within family firms.
Research limitations/implications: Focusing upon this rather broad – but, we would argue, necessarily so – „territory‟ limits the scope of the paper. However, there are opportunities for more specific research into a number of sub-themes within the paper, as well as for further theoretical development and testing of the conceptual model.
Practical implications: Effective enterprise education and entrepreneurial learning is identified as a critical factor influencing whether or not an ethnic minority graduate starts a business or joins the family firm. It is argued that enterprise educators acting on these suggestions would have a significant impact on the future performance and survival of ethnic minority family firms.
Originality/value: Although prior literature has explored ownership succession, this paper is the first that relates the younger generation‟s participation in enterprise education (and entrepreneurial learning) to this process.
Design/methodology/approach: We have developed a complex conceptual model of ethnic minority graduates‟ economic activities and the influence of enterprise education and entrepreneurial learning, in addition to an exemplar case study (which is illustrative, not analytical) of an ethnic minority graduate who returned to a family firm.
Findings: Current enterprise education provision is insufficiently customised, failing to take account of socio-cultural differences between minority and indigenous students. We, therefore, suggest that case studies based on co-ethnic role models should be more widely used – as well as a greater emphasis upon intrapreneurship within family firms.
Research limitations/implications: Focusing upon this rather broad – but, we would argue, necessarily so – „territory‟ limits the scope of the paper. However, there are opportunities for more specific research into a number of sub-themes within the paper, as well as for further theoretical development and testing of the conceptual model.
Practical implications: Effective enterprise education and entrepreneurial learning is identified as a critical factor influencing whether or not an ethnic minority graduate starts a business or joins the family firm. It is argued that enterprise educators acting on these suggestions would have a significant impact on the future performance and survival of ethnic minority family firms.
Originality/value: Although prior literature has explored ownership succession, this paper is the first that relates the younger generation‟s participation in enterprise education (and entrepreneurial learning) to this process.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 643-659 |
| Journal | Education and Training |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue number | 8/9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Nov 2010 |