This presentation will outline the research design for a new ARC Linkage study investigating the impact of human and social capital of Indigenous business leaders on business routines and outcomes. The research will explore the leadership challenges faced by Indigenous business leaders, including how do they attempt to overcome these challenges? The research aims to contribute to understanding the leadership experiences and perspectives of Indigenous entrepreneurial leaders and better explain the challenges faced and the contexts Indigenous leaders work with.

This study will provide evidence based research and policy advice on effective business education interventions for Australian Indigenous enterprises and individuals. It will also explore the unique challenges Indigenous leaders face in owning or operating commercial enterprises. Chief Investigator, Dr Michelle Evans will speak to the themes that have emerged from the qualitative data in year one of the ARC project focusing on business models of Australian Indigenous enterprises and explore unanswered theoretical questions.