Indigenous Entrepreneurs in Australia: Past, Present, and Future

Author(s):  
Bella L. Galperin ◽  
Meena Chavan ◽  
Salahudin Muhidin
Author(s):  
Ruth Omonigho Mrabure

PurposeThis paper aims to address the notion that the relationship between being indigenous and business success is inconclusive because there are tensions between indigenous values and business success. The research questions are: How do indigenous entrepreneurs define success? Does the third space create a different meaning of success in the indigenous context?Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was adopted for this study because the ability to define success requires subjective meanings. Participants’ lived experiences and stories were the main sources of information. Open conversational-style interviews were used because they allow participants to freely share their stories.FindingsA defining line is that not all indigenous entrepreneurs have the same view of success. The homogeneity that emanates from sharing indigeneity does not equal unity in views, but shows that people from the same group can view success differently. However, the meaning and views formed are also connected to the wider community, relationships and predominant values that characterise the social cultural context of the entrepreneur.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on one indigenous group; more studies need to be conducted to gain wider variation on the meaning of success in indigenous entrepreneurship and how indigenous subculture alters these meanings.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study show that success for indigenous entrepreneurs should be defined based on individual philosophy. Hence, practitioners should endeavour to clarify what success means from the initial stage of the business to avoid misconception and make this clear to others that are connected to the business.Originality/valueThis paper suggests a different view of success in an indigenous context using the hybridity viewpoint to explain why success can be perceived using the in-between space without opposite binary.


2020 ◽  
pp. 135050762097252
Author(s):  
Annette Gainsford ◽  
Michelle Evans

Recent Australian research has identified that the success of an Indigenous business greatly relies on the business acumen of its owner. Whilst business education offered through Business Schools is seemingly open to all, Indigenous Australian participation in these educational offerings have been low. In contrast the number of Indigenous businesses emerging in Australia over the past decade is building a demand for Indigenous specific business education offerings. The MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class at Melbourne Business School is such an example of an Indigenous business education program. We discuss how this program implements an andragogical philosophy into the Indigenous teaching and learning approach of business education to take into consideration an individual’s cultural and business knowledge to contextualise business learning. This paper identifies a framework of andragogy principles that contributes to the learning environment for Indigenous entrepreneurs. We identify four key learning principles and offer an evidence based model to progress business education. Through well designed Indigenous business education, business education can provide Indigenous entrepreneurs with an effective learning environment that integrates their cultural identity, highlights Indigenous knowledges and allows for the development of skills to support self-determination practices.


Author(s):  
Noel J. Lindsay ◽  
Wendy A. Lindsay ◽  
Anton Jordaan ◽  
Kevin Hindle

Author(s):  
Ugwushi Bellema Ihua ◽  
Olatunde Abiodun Olabowale ◽  
Kamdi Nnanna Eloji ◽  
Chris Ajayi

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficacy of Nigeria's oil and gas industry local content (LC) policy, with particular reference to how the policy has enhanced entrepreneurial activities and served as panacea to resolving some of the country's socio‐economic challenges within the oil‐producing Niger Delta region.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were randomly obtained from a questionnaire sample of 120 indigenes in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states; and subjected to factor‐analysis using varimax rotation to identify the most crucial factors likely to influence the success of the policy. Cronbach's α was also applied to ascertain the reliability of the data and overall agreement amongst respondents.FindingsThe study reveals a general level of indifference amongst the respondents, and an insignificant level of entrepreneurial implication, regarding the LC policy. Notwithstanding, the need to create business prospects, jobs opportunities, and establish special quota arrangements to benefit indigenes of the oil producing host‐communities were found to be most crucial in their assessment of the policy's efficacy.Practical implicationsIt is expected that the policy should stimulate and open up more channels for budding entrepreneurial activities, job opportunities and wealth generation. These would mitigate situations of unwarranted militant activities, social disorder and disguised criminalities such as kidnapping and destruction of oil installations, resulting from perceived marginalisation, massive unemployment and poor living standards experienced within the region.Originality/valueThe study provides insights into how the LC policy, if properly harnessed and judiciously implemented, can generate win‐win outcomes for the nation, multi‐national oil companies, host communities and indigenous entrepreneurs.


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