The findings from a major collaborative research project led by researchers from Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be used to help improve the number and rate of success of Indigenous business enterprises across Australia.

 

Professor in Marketing at CSU’s School of Business in Bathurst, Mark Morrison said, “The three-year project which starts this year will examine Indigenous businesses operating in urban, regional and remote areas, and aims to identify the key factors that contribute to the success of Indigenous businesses as well as those factors that hinder their success.

 

“The project will involve the first-ever qualitative survey of more than 500 private and community-owned Indigenous businesses across Australia, as well as more than 50 in-depth interviews with business operators.

 

"The project seeks to improve understanding of Indigenous businesses across Australia in terms of what they do, and how they contribute to their communities.

 

“Also, by examining the operations of a range of Indigenous businesses in different parts of Australia, we hope to expand the current knowledge and understanding of factors that contribute to a successful Indigenous business.

 

“We also hope to identify the role that location of the business plays in the success or otherwise of a business enterprise.”

 

Professor Morrison said findings from the research project will be available in late 2013, and would be used to help devise strategies to improve the uptake and success rates of Indigenous businesses. They could also be used to provide a solid, research-based foundation for the development of programs to assist with the establishment of such businesses.