Exceeding government-mandated social programs: minority supplier development programs

• Published in: Management research news Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 111 - 124
• Main Authors: Cox Edmondson, Vickie, Suh, Won S, Munchus, George
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Patrington Emerald Group Publishing Limited 25.01.2008
• Subjects: Civil rights; Construction industry; Employment discrimination; Hispanic Americans; Labor law; Mayors; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority owned businesses; Minority set aside programs; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Operations research; Power; Regulation; Social goals; Social responsibility; Society; Studies; Suppliers; Supply chain management; Vendor supplier relations; Workplace diversity; United States > US; Supplier evaluation; Operations and production management; Design and development
• ISSN: 0140-9174; 2040-8269; 1758-6135; 2040-8277
• DOI: 10.1108/01409170810846830

Purpose - This paper sets out to promote individual enterprise responsibility and provide recommendations that will strengthen the relationship between large firms and small businesses involved in minority supplier development programs in the USA.Design methodology approach - The groundwork for the empirical study comprised a literature review of existing perspectives on the assisted growth and development of businesses owned by minorities.Findings - Support is found for programs that help disadvantaged groups to succeed but opposition to preferential treatment is also evident. Several firms that have noteworthy minority supplier development programs are identified. Recommendations are provided to further develop the relationship between large suppliers and small businesses owned by minorities.Research limitations implications - Future research should use organizational case studies to provide a more detailed analysis of outcomes and the role of minority supplier development programs.Practical limitations - It is not the intention in this work to present recommendations that will increase procurement contracts for ethnic business enterprises.Originality value - This paper offers several starting-points, which are critical to building successful relationships between suppliers and small businesses owned by minorities.