JOURNAL OF BUSINESS DIVERSITY

The Impact of Strategic Orientation and Ethnicity on Small Business Performance

Author(s): Shanan G. Gibson, William C. McDowell, Michael L. Harris

Citation: Shanan G. Gibson, William C. McDowell, Michael L. Harris, (2011) "The Impact of Strategic Orientation and Ethnicity on Small Business Performance," Journal of Business Diversity, Vol.11, Iss. 1, pp. 9 - 18

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between strategic orientation and ethnicity and

the resulting influence on performance in small businesses. Through analysis of a sample of 237 small

business owners that were split with 50% minority ownership, this study examined the strategic

orientation of minority owned businesses and the resulting performance of those organizations. Results

indicated no differences in the strategic choices of Caucasian and minority business owners, but that

performance was greater in those internally focused organizations. Limitations, practical applications,

and future research area also discussed.