Rosemary Athayde

Measuring Enterprise Potential in Young People

As young people increasingly become the target of entrepreneurial and enterprise policy initiatives and enterprise education in schools increases, so does the need to effectively measure the impact these programs have. A research instrument was designed to measure “enterprise potential” in young people using attitudes toward characteristics associated with entrepreneurship. A control–group cross–sectional design was used to investigate the impact of participation in a Young Enterprise Company Program, which is based on the U.S. Junior Achievement model, in six secondary schools in London, United Kingdom. The study found that participation in a Company Program can foster positive attitudes toward self–employment and that participants displayed greater enterprise potential than nonparticipants. Demographic differences also emerged in enterprise potential between ethnic groups. Young Black people were more positive about self–employment and displayed greater enterprise potential than either White or Asian pupils. A family background of self–employment had a positive influence on pupils’ intentions to become self–employed. Finally, the research raises a conceptual issue concerning the multidimensionality of the construct of “enterprise potential.”

Ethnic diversity, entrepreneurship and competitiveness in a global city:

The article assesses the proposition that ethnic and linguistic diversity is a potential source of competitive advantage at the city/regional level. Seven potential links between ethnic diversity and competitiveness are proposed on the basis of previous literature, although the article focuses on three: ethnic diversity as a source of creativity and innovation; the role of diaspora-based networks; and linguistic diversity, using a combination of secondary material and original case studies. The overall conclusion is that although a number of plausible hypothesized links between diversity and competitiveness are proposed, and evidence is presented to support them, further systematic research is required before the frequency of occurrence of such diversity/ competitiveness connections can be determined and their importance in economic development fully assessed.

Making the connection: the effectiveness of Internet training in small businesses

Aims to provide an analysis of the introduction of Internet‐based skills into small firms. Seeks to contribute to the wider debate on the content and style of training most appropriate for employees and managers of SMEs.

Ethnic Diasporas and Business Competitiveness: Minority-Owned Enterprises in London

This paper focuses on the commercial exploitation of ethnic diaspora-based networks. Using qualitative data from four London minority-owned enterprises, diaspora-based linkages in the UK and beyond are examined and the implications for policy discussed. We conclude that, under certain conditions, diaspora-based networks enable higher levels of business competitiveness. They facilitate access to resources and markets by minority-owned businesses, particularly for those supplying ethnic goods and services,. Exploiting diaspora-based networks effectively depends not only on business owners’ capabilities and motivations to do so but also on diaspora structures—their size, geographical and sectoral locations—and the resources and opportunities they make available to business owners. Conversely, in certain circumstances, engagement with diaspora-based networks can constrain business competitiveness, particularly where this restricts the resources and markets available. Diaspora-based networks are potentially important influences on business competitiveness but do not negate the importance of class resources such as property, education and skills in processes of business formation and development among minority groups. The implications for existing theory and for policy are considered.

The impact of enterprise education on attitudes to enterprise in young people: an evaluation study

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to present evidence on the impact of enterprise education on young people still at school in London, UK. The study was designed to measure the effect of participation in a Young Enterprise (YE) Company Program on young peoples attitudes toward starting a business, and on their enterprise potential.Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal pre and post test design was used, with a sample of 276 young people. A control group provided a method of isolating the impact of the programme and was used as a test for self‐selection bias. An attitudes to enterprise test was administered at the start of the programme and again at the end, nine months later.Findings – It was found that participation does have a positive impact on young peoples enterprise potential, however this is moderated by other factors such as gender, ethnicity, socio‐economic background and type of school attended.Research limitations/implications – The paper demonstrates the added value of a longitudin...

Planning for uncertainty: soft skills, hard skills and innovation

The objective of this article is to explore how education for innovation of our young people may help develop an innovative mindset. The article develops the theoretical justification of a skills set which, it is argued, is fundamental for the development of an innovative mindset of young people, and consequently their personal development. We focus here on the qualitative work – focus groups and interviews with teaching staff and students aged 14–19 years – that informed our understanding of the five characteristics of this mindset; leadership, creativity, self-efficacy, energy and risk-propensity. The research attempted to capture the differences in context, constraints and school types and ethos that potentially shaped behavioural expression. Case studies based on types of school revealed detailed differences in context – regional, local and personal – that shaped students’ engagement and their innovative behaviour in particular. The paper also reflects on teaching style, extracurricular opportunities for skills’ development and student motivation to acquire an innovation skills set. The paper reflects on practical and policy implications of this work and identifies areas for further research.