Measuring the financial capability of minority ethnic business owners in Scotland

This paper aims at prompting a discussion on the need to measure the financial capability of non-traditional minority ethnic business owners in Scotland in order to enhance the provision of business support. This would be achieved through a targeted 'needs based' approach that offers a better understanding of the viability of their enterprises and the most efficient use of available funds to meet their objectives. A literature review will identify current research on financial capability focusing on definitions and measurement, methodologies, questionnaires, and findings. The review will also help to develop a framework for a model of business owner financial capability that will be tested in current research being conducted on Latin American business owners in Scotland. Discussion and research should provide a starting point in the research of mechanisms to efficiently deliver financial support to minority ethnic businesses, and the paper aims to encourage contributions and participation to build an understanding of financial capability in the context of minority ethnic businesses. This discussion has profound implications to the provision of business support and economic growth in Scotland: it entails structuring knowledge based dialogues between consultants and the beneficiaries of sponsored backing to promote mutually beneficial outcomes to financial decisions.