Perceived Selective Incivility and Relational Trust for BAME SMEs during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine if perceptions of selective incivility reported by BAME SME owners were associated with a different relational trust preference compared to White SME owners, as they all engaged in external bricolage to navigate the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and an online questionnaire to 27 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and 55 White small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) owners in the United Kingdom. The research finds that in comparison to perceptions of White SME owners in the sample during the same period, perceptions of selective incivility reported by many BAME SME owners were associated with a different preference of relational trust as they all engaged in external bricolage. Thus, this research indicates how perceived selective incivility could affect the relational trust preferences of BAME SME owners in times of crisis and support from such institutions might not get to EMBs during periods of crisis.