|
CEMESME to show the benefits of employing ethnic minority staff
A GROUND-BREAKING research project, which aims to prove that ethnic minorities can make an essential contribution to British small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) – especially on their performance internationally – will be targeting companies with a questionnaire to gather vital data for the initiative.
The CEMESME (Contribution of ethnic minority employees to small and medium sized enterprises) project challenges racial discrimination, promotes equality at work and plans to make the corporate culture of UK firms more aware of diversity while encouraging good relations between people of different race in the workplace.
It will send out 10,000 questionnaires to SMEs – initially in the UK and then in Europe – to gain feedback on how ethnic minorities’ values and beliefs, with other management attributes, positively affect business performance.
Bradford-based project director Dr Gonzalo Shoobridge explained why this research is unique. He commented: “This project takes a different approach from other schemes which promote employment of ethnic minorities. Emphasis in the past has been on training potential staff to make them more appealing to employers. But at CEMESME we concentrate on the demand side of the problem by demonstrating to firms the positive impact of ethnic minority employees on the overall business performance of British companies.
“Firms around the world are currently facing the most intense global competition ever, so for the sake of their businesses, the leaders in firms should play a strong role in promoting diversity at work. Diversity will help companies enter the international arena because organisations with a diverse workforce are able to provide better services due to a greater understanding of the different market segments, specific customer needs and niche markets. Diversity enhances creativity and innovation and produces competitive advantage.
“This research would have a great impact in policy making if it could show that a multicultural and diverse workforce has a positive impact on international business performance. Such a finding would have a very positive effect on the employment opportunities for ethnic minorities.”
Supported by the European Social Fund and led by PRIAE* (Policy Research Institute on Ageing and Ethnicity), CEMESME has formed links with UK and European partners – including organisations in France, Germany, Spain, Slovakia and Lithuania – to share best practice.
Commenting on the CEMESME project, the Rt Hon Peter Mandelson PC, member of the European Commission and EU Trade Commissioner, said: “Every effort to promote racial equality and challenge discrimination deserves full and wholehearted support. This work is very important and rightly deserves the fullest possible support. I wish CEMESME every possible success.”
Founder and chief executive of the famous Cobra Beer, Karan Bililmoria CBE, DL, who is also chairman of the National Employment Panel for the SMEs Board and a member of CEMESME’s advisory board, said: “In today’s deeply diverse and ethnically rich workforce, CEMESME’s core values are crucial in promoting equal opportunities and making the corporate culture of British firms more aware of diversity and internationalisation issues in the workplace.”
If you would be interested in taking part in this important research, please request a questionnaire from Mel Davids at Mel.Davids@priae.org
Ends
July 2005
For more information on the CEMESME project please contact Melnisha Davids Mel.Davids@priae.org
Tel: +44 (0) 113 285990
Or (for press enquiries) Simon Walsh or Phillipa Jose
Tel: +44 (0) 207 886 8440
Fax: +44(0) 207 886 8460
*PRIAE is the leading body working in the field of ageing and ethnicity in the UK and Europe. It is a self-governing international charitable institute specialising in income, pensions, employment, health social care, housing, citizenship and quality of life concerning black and ethnic minority (BME) communities. PRIAE delivers this work through policy, research, information, development and training. PRIAE works with policymakers, research bodies, statutory healthcare providers and the voluntary sector to bring about improvements in the UK and European policies and services for minority ethnic communities. PRIAE’s approach of engaging with a range of stakeholders, including BME communities and SMEs, allows it to work on multiple levels in an applied and practical way, rather than pure research. |
