Title: Ethnic networks and small firm internationalisation: a study of UK-based Indian enterprises

Authors: Jaswinder S. Hayer, Kevin I.N. Ibeh

Addresses: Strathclyde International Business Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RQ, UK. ' Department of Marketing, Strathclyde International Business Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RQ, UK

Abstract: This paper draws upon on a sample of 21 UK-based Indian small- and medium-sized enterprises to explore the impact of ethnic networks on the internationalisation of minority ethnic businesses. Issues examined include the perceived importance of such networks in the study firms| international expansion and how this perception might have been affected by the firms| overall level of development. It emerged that these network resources provided useful intelligence and contacts that bridged critical gaps in the study firms| international knowledge and experience, and facilitated their selection of international partners, particularly at the early internationalisation stages. The managerial, policy and future research implications of the findings are discussed.

Keywords: ethnic networks; small firms; internationalisation; small and medium sized enterprises; SMEs; UK; United Kingdom; India; ethnic minorities; ethnic businesses; international business; entrepreneurship; innovation management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2006.010978

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.6, pp.508 - 525

Published online: 25 Sep 2006 *

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