Welsh Ethnic and Minority Enterprise Landscape: Painting by Numbers and Narrative

Ms Marilia Angove, University of Glamorgan 
Dr Brychan Thomas,  University of Glamorgan
Dr Gary Packham, University of Glamorgan
Iheanyi Chuku Egbuta,University of Glamorgan

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Objectives: The aim of this paper is to present a picture of the Welsh Ethnic and Minority Enterprise landscape between 2002 and 2007, taken from the findings of a longitudinal study conducted by the Cyfenter 1 and Cyfenter 2 Development Partnerships under the EQUAL initiative. The picture illustrates the Welsh Ethnic Minority Enterprise landscape both at pre and post-start (up to 4 years in business), and it is a thematic presentation (Pre-start Stage Themes: Access to Finance, Grants, From Benefits to Self-Employment, Growth and Sustainability, Design for Diversity; Post-Start Stage Themes: Growth and Sustainability).

Prior work: The findings presented in this paper are derived from the Action Research studies undertaken by Cyfenter 1 and Cyfenter 2 between 2002 and 2007, which evolved from the Newidiem Report – Entrepreneurs in Wales: Baseline Setting Research (2001), the Entrepreneurship Action Plan for Wales (2000), which identified Ethnic Entrepreneurs amongst one of the seven under-represented groups in enterprise in Wales and the Cardiff Ethnic Entrepreneurs Mapping study (2002).

Approach: The methodology used to conduct the study integrated both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Whilst during Cyfenter 1 the telephone survey was conducted in-house, in Cyfenter 2 the longitudinal element of the telephone survey was conducted externally to maximise resource efficiency. The primary data collection involved; questionnaires, focus groups, round tables, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews and case studies.
Results: The key findings from the study identify significant statistical differences on the practices and requirements between ethnic and non-ethnic groups both at the pre and post-start stage of business development. It could also be inferred from the limited sample size that much work needs to be undertaken to secure the active participation of Welsh Ethnic and Minority Entrepreneurs in research.

Implications: The findings from the study have been used to inform, influence and develop mainstream business support policies and practices in enterprise support in Wales, which are tailored and accessible to individual needs and take account of the diversity of Welsh Ethnic and Minority Entrepreneurs.

Value: The paper’s value is to highlight, illustrate and present the Welsh Ethnic and Minority Entrepreneurial landscape, which could easily go, unnoticed from a UK Ethnic and Minority Entrepreneurial perspective.

Keywords: ethnic, policy, practices, finance, growth, sustainability

2008, Belfast

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