We are seeing more homegrown businesses in Australia. This is essential provided that these enterprises create social impact, support Indigenous economic self-determination, and maintain high levels of Indigenous employment.
When we hear about indigenous knowledge-based enterprises, we frequently take into consideration how that knowledge is presented in the corporate’s services or products, for example through art, tourism or clothing. Less understood is the role that local knowledge can play in an organization’s organization and culture, and its profound impact.
At the national level, there continues to be a stark difference between indigenous and non-indigenous employment. This doesn’t help the case of non-Indigenous owned businesses keep fighting with hiring and retaining native employees.
But for indigenous-owned businesses locations and industriesemployment stays high. Research shows that 36% of employees at these corporations are indigenous.
IN our latest researchwe interviewed owners, managers and employees of indigenous corporations to seek out out how these corporations support high levels of employment amongst indigenous people. Our findings indicate that Australian corporations must learn best practices from domestic corporations.
What do domestic corporations do in a different way?
Native ways to know, be and act can bring a holistic approach to business management and organizational culture. In our study, participants discussed how domestic corporations maintain a non-hierarchical approach to their business structure. This structure incorporated diverse perspectives, ensuring better aligned and effective policies and practices.
This meant that the corporate could reflect the precise perspectives, values, strengths and circumstances of its employees. This is contrary to the one-size-fits-all approach to indigenous employment and recruitment policies that non-native enterprises often implement.
To be formally recognized as an Indigenous-owned business, a business should be Indigenous-owned holds at the very least 50% of the shares by the indigenous people.
Most Native businesses listed on Supply Nation, a national database of Native businesses, are 100% Native owned. As such, leadership roles in these indigenous enterprises are played by indigenous people. The situation is different within the case of non-native corporations fight with this.
Described by our study participants Indigenous governance in enterprises as collaborative, responsive and relational. This allows managers to better adapt to the needs, values and situations of their employees.
This knowledge provides the idea for informing specific workplace practices. For example, workplace flexibility is usually provided in domestic enterprises, but is provided to various degrees depending on the precise workforce context.
Cultural competence is important
Cultural competences refers to the flexibility to work effectively and respectfully with people from other cultures.
Cultural competence within the workplace is usually considered education. Participants in our study described cultural competence as an activity embedded within the practices of their organizations. They didn’t see cultural competence as a small thing, but as a necessity by way of occupational health and safety.
For example, domestic corporations usually are not only aware of the cultural responsibilities or individual circumstances that affect their employees. These corporations often incorporate, support and draw on these elements to shape their business practices. Local staff said it meant their corporations understood, valued and supported them.
Employees also detailed stark differences in experiences racism between domestic enterprises and their former workplaces. Local business owners and managers were more open about their experiences and more committed to addressing and eliminating racism within the workplace.
These are only among the ways domestic businesses can provide a model for rethinking organizational cultures non-native enterprises.
Learning from local entrepreneurs
Many organizations across Australia are implementing their own policies to extend employment for Indigenous people. Participants in our study found that a lot of these policies focus heavily on “traditional” recruiting practices and policies.
This falsely assumes that the one problem is job supply. Many aspects influence the employment of indigenous people, which vary from country to country. Indigenous employment approaches often don’t reflect this.
Indigenous businesses exhibit that there isn’t a single recruitment strategy, reconciliation motion plan, apprenticeship program or cultural competency training that may improve Indigenous employment.
For example, some Native-owned businesses are promoting Native employees from entry-level positions to management positions because they recognize the commitment, logistics, and advantages involved. Simply creating an entry-level position where the worker doesn’t progress cannot achieve the identical result.
Strong local employment isn’t limited to domestic enterprises in certain industries. Therefore, tailored practices that reflect the varied indigenous workforce across the country are needed.
Restructuring organizational culture in Australian businesses isn’t just helpful for Indigenous people. Values-based workplaces spend money on employees, support their culture, maintain a secure work environment, and create opportunities for people often excluded from employment. This advantages everyone.
Non-Indigenous institutions can learn from Indigenous businesses, not only to turn into better employers for Indigenous people, but additionally to be better employers for all.
