Sustainability in Female Indigenous Entrepreneurs in South Australia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to contribute to the indigenous female entrepreneurship literature by investigating the factors contributing to the unique constraints, currently facing indigenous entrepreneurs in Australia and to articulate the corresponding consequences for the sustainable economic development of their communities. Design/methodology/approachDue to the social ties embedded in the indigenous communities by the indigenous entrepreneurs, a triangulation research design was used. Ten purposely selected informants added to the data from the secondary sources and a self-administered questionnaire via an online platform. FindingsThe results suggest that there are a unique constraints facing Australia indigenous women including racial and gender discrimination. These indigenous entrepreneurs faces challenges which include: perceived racial discrimination; the limited amount of government and institutional support to these indigenous women; lack of entrepreneurial skills and management capability and experience; absence of technological skills and assimilation to the mainstream economy; lack of self-confidence by these women; pressures of work-life balance; lack of role models in the community and personal motivation; and lack sustainable markets and distribution channels of their products. Research limitations/implicationsThe paper acknowledges the limitations of the study on other areas outside the contextual and scope of the study. However the implications are pertinent in providing the current status of the challenges affecting indigenous, women entrepreneurs in South Australia. It adds to the few contemporary studies taken into the context of women entrepreneurship -especially in the indigenous community of South Australia. A much needed discourse was needed in women entrepreneurship and the context of racial, gender and political bias and its implications in their business sustainability. Originality/valueIn turn, this research findings should be given attention and provide a model for the development of policy and infrastructure to support contemporary indigenous female entrepreneurs in their contextual implications. On a crucial and wider basis, the implications of this study are pertinent in efforts towards ensuring sustainability of start-ups and livelihoods in the indigenous communities.