Digital Divide: Impact on Hispanic-Owned Small Businesses

Authors

  • Cecilia Temponi Texas State University at San Marcos
  • Jaime Chahin Texas State University at San Marcos

Abstract

Information inequity creates a  major  gap  between  minority  and  non-minority  businesses  in the areas of business opportunities,  communication,  and  information  technologies.  The purpose of this study is to survey the technological potential of Hispanic-owned  small businesses (HSBs) to engage in e-commerce, specifically in e-procurement. The names of the HSBs were requested from the Office of Small Business Administration, which provided a national database of 9,800 businesses. A total of 1,200 businesses were randomly selected to receive the survey. Results indicate that small businesses have issues of concern regarding the process to access the Internet. HSBs find limitations in gaining access to e-commerce and its elements. Some limitations relate to financial constraints to buy computers; other limitations relate to Internet access methodology and ability to hire information technology personnel. Assisting HSBs to gain access to financial resources is crucial towards narrowing  the digital divide and therefore reducing/eliminating its effects on the long-term  survival of  Hispanic small businesses. Government agencies and non-profit and  private  business  organizations should develop financial and outreach opportunities to  enhance participation  of  Hispanic­ owned small  businesses.

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Published

2003-06-24

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2003)

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Digital Divide: Impact on Hispanic-Owned Small Businesses. (2003). Journal of Small Business Strategy (archive Only), 14(2), 73-91. https://libjournals.mtsu.edu/index.php/jsbs/article/view/532