Critical success factors in managing sustainable Indigenous businesses in Australia

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate success factors pertinent to the management of Indigenous businesses through the identification of points of intervention at the systemic and structural levels. Through utilising this approach, the economic and social values that First Nations communities attach to intangible Indigenous Cultural Heritage (ICH) and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) may be both recognized and realized as assets. Design/methodology/approach: This paper adopts a multidisciplinary approach to address a global issue of economic and social significance to First Nation Peoples, their businesses and the Australian Aboriginal communities. We adopt a First Nation epistemological standpoint that incorporates theoretical perspectives drawn from a diverse range of fields and theories (see Preston, 2013) as well as advocating the use of Indigenist methodology for research with First Nation Peoples as it is underpinned by critical race theory. Findings: We argue conceptually, that accounting, accountability and auditing consideration are required to fully identify what is impacting the successful management of Indigenous enterprises. Specifically, in relation to accounting, Elders should be included to assist in valuing intangible Indigenous Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property assets. Furthermore, we emphasize the need to improve the financial and commercial literacy levels of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Practical implications: We prescribe the use of tools for the accounting treatment of Indigenous Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property as intangible assets within an Australian regulatory environment and define an auditing process and accountability model incorporating cultural, social, and environmental measures. A central tenet of this model relates to improving levels of personal and commercial financial literacy in the First Nation participants. Collectively, these factors promote informed participation and decision-making, and may promulgate more sustainable outcomes. Originality/value: Integrated thinking requires all factors to be considered in a holistic manner, such that a First Nation enterprise and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can understand, and make decisions based on, the overall impact it has on all their stakeholders and generally on society, the environment and the economy.