Towards a more inclusive human resource community: engaging ethnic minority microbusinesses in human resource development programmes targeted at more productive methods of operating

The economic and social importance of ethnic minority microbusinesses (‘EMMBs’ with 1–9 employees) is neglected in human resource (HR) academic and policy discourse on productive ways of working. This article presents an action research approach to show how academics and intermediaries (local trusted industry representatives) can collaborate to promote HR development programmes targeted at more productive methods of operating in EMMBs. Our research collaboration involves academics, EMMBs (from the catering and creative sectors) and intermediaries. We develop perspectives on HR in small firms by showing how EMMBs can be engaged in initiatives of learning and development targeted at organisational change. The study contributes to recent calls for a more inclusive approach to HR theorising and practice.