CREME Projects

The ‘Supply Leicester’ Project
(2009-2011)
Commissioned by the European Regional Development Fund

For  two years, CREME will be involved with the Supply Leicester Project. Run by Leicester City Council, the project will support SMEs across Leicestershire, specifically targeting female-, disabled-, and ethnic minority-owned firms in Leicester’s disadvantaged areas, and help them access procurement and supply chain contracts from public and private sector companies. Getting a foot on the procurement ladder can be difficult but, in anticipation of the Single Equalities Bill, initiatives like this can help ensure Leicestershire businesses stay one step ahead which will benefit the whole local economy.

This project aims to improve both the supplier and buyer side of public procurement. Using an action research approach, CREME is assisting with the scoping and mapping of the project, and is working with buyers to identify the support they need to make changes to their procurement process. CREME is also involved in the development of the one-to-one sessions between buyers and suppliers and the 40 planned ‘Meet the Buyer’ seminars.

Facilitating Entrepreneurship in New Migrant Communities
(2008-2009)
Monder Ram, Alex Kiselinchev, Lovemore Muchenje
Commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council

This year-long project aimed to increase knowledge transfer between CREME and East Midlands Business Ltd. Two researchers were placed with EMB Ltd; one focused on new migrants from Eastern Europe, the other on new African communities. Both engaged with new migrant business owners to develop detailed understanding of their business support needs and to promote awareness of available support. They also engaged with intermediary networks that support new migrant communities in order to explore opportunities for collaborative working.

Facilitating Supplier Diversity: A Collaborative Approach to
Engaging Underrepresented Suppliers and Large Firms
(2008-2009)
Monder Ram, Nick Theodorakopoulous, Olga Tregakis, in collaboration with Supplier Diversity Europe (SDE)
Commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council

The year-long project increased knowledge transfer between CREME and SDE. The experience gained during the project helped to shape broader policy debates in the UK and other European countries. CREME’s action research methodology helped develop an informed approach to supplier diversity in practice which is European in orientation.

Development of ICT Skills amongst African Caribbean Businesses
(2008-2009)
Martin Beckinsale and Monder Ram
Commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council

Building on CREME’s expertise on procurement and ethnic minority entrepreneurship, the placement worked with the Black Business Association (BBA) on three inter-related activities: developing ICT capabilities of BBA members, intensive support of ten ‘exemplar’ businesses to facilitate e-procurement, helping the BBA raise awareness of the importance of e-procurement to its members.

Facilitating Entrepreneurial Regeneration: A Collaborative
Approach to Bangladeshi Business Development/African-Caribbean Business Development
(2007-2008)
Kiran Trehan and Monder Ram
Commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council

These two projects aimed to facilitate growth in Bangladeshi-owned and African-Caribbean-owned firms located in deprived areas of Birmingham. It was a collaborative knowledge transfer activity involving African-Caribbean and Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, and Business Link Birmingham and Solihull.

Ethnic Minority Graduate International Entrepreneurs
(2007-2008)
Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes
Commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council, the Dept for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Dept for Innovation, Universities and Skills

This small-scale, qualitative research study examined the nature and extent of British ethnic minority nascent and current graduate international small and medium enterprise. It explored its existing and potential contribution to the UK economy, in particular the innovative commercialisation of intellectual capital developed by attending Higher Education Institutions. It especially focused on the role that the bonding and bridging international social capital of ethnic minorities plays in facilitating the internationalisation of business.

Somali-owned Businesses in Leicester
(2006-2007)
Monder Ram and Nick Theodorakopoulos
Commissioned by Leicestershire Learning and Skills Council

This project detailed, qualitative assessment of Somali businesses and aspirations in Leicester. The research examines how Somali entrepreneurial activity is influenced by social, cultural and financial capital, assessed barriers to business development and identified the specific business support needs of the Somali community.