Contrasting Indigenous Entrepreneurship in Australia and Canada: How Three Applied Research Perspectives Can Improve Policy and Programs

Quantification of the failure of the passive welfare system to alleviate the plight of Indigenous people in Australia indicates a remedial role for Indigenous entrepreneurship. However, sustained poor performance in Indigenous entrepreneurship in Australia contrasts with recent high levels of performance in Canada. Three phenomena account for the differences. Canadian Indigenous entrepreneurship policy, in both public and private sectors, is: specific, culturally sensitive and research based. For Australian Indigenous entrepreneurship policy to become more focused and culturally sensitive, it must be deeply grounded in research. Three emerging research perspectives can provide useful insights and a solid foundation for constructive public policy in the Indigenous entrepreneurship field. They are fourth world' theory, Whetten's 'hybrid' theory and a 'theory of values'.