Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand how Chambers of Commerce enhance networking among ethnic small businesses and enable the co-creation of value. This study contributes to extant research through the emergence of the concept of cultural networking competence. This study highlights how Chambers of Commerce in the USA ensures the continuation, growth and replication of ethnic small businesses through cultural networking competence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the research question by conducting qualitative research and adopting an interpretive approach of investigation in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Chicago. Subjects were recruited using purposive sampling techniques via community links.

Findings

Findings show the existence of four different types of value in line with Holbrook’s typology of value – utilitarian, social, emotional and altruistic value. Because these values are culturally related, this study regards these values as cultural networking competence, which differs from general networking competence due to its focus on culture. With cultural networking competence, ethnic firms benefit from access to new domains, the creation of new opportunities, an improved effectiveness in achieving objectives beyond their own ethnic networks and the resources of other actors that can be leveraged for wider impact.

Originality/value

This study contributes to extant research through the emergence of the concept of cultural networking competence. This study highlights how Chambers of Commerce in the USA ensures the continuation, growth and replication of ethnic small businesses through cultural networking competence.

中文翻译：

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民族商会和价值的共同创造：文化和网络能力的综合

目的

本文的目的是探索和了解商会如何加强少数民族小企业之间的网络并实现价值的共同创造。本研究通过文化网络能力概念的出现为现有研究做出贡献。本研究强调了美国商会如何通过文化网络能力确保少数民族小企业的延续、发展和复制。

设计/方法/途径

本研究通过在芝加哥的西班牙裔商会进行定性研究和采用解释性调查方法来调查研究问题。受试者是通过社区链接使用有目的的抽样技术招募的。

发现

调查结果表明存在四种不同类型的价值，符合霍尔布鲁克的价值类型学——功利、社会、情感和利他价值。由于这些价值观与文化相关，本研究将这些价值观视为文化网络能力，不同于一般网络能力，因为它侧重于文化。凭借文化网络能力，少数民族企业受益于进入新领域、创造新机会、提高实现超越自身种族网络的目标的有效性，以及可以利用其他参与者的资源产生更广泛的影响。

原创性/价值

本研究通过文化网络能力概念的出现为现有研究做出贡献。本研究强调了美国商会如何通过文化网络能力确保少数民族小企业的延续、发展和复制。