Program Overview

Unit Overview

The unit BUFP309 - First Peoples Enterprise and Entrepreneurship presents students with general theories, terminology, and concepts relating to enterprise and entrepreneurship from a First Nations perspective. This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to gain a further understanding of the effectiveness of First Nations enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

This unit explores the opportunities for economic participation by First Nations peoples and includes analysis of theoretical discussions around the parameters of First Nations' entrepreneurship. The experiences of First Nations entrepreneurs are used as case studies.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of Australian First Nations' trade and commerce historically and in contemporary society.
2. Evaluate the political, economic, demographic, and cultural factors influencing First Nations business operations in a dynamic global and domestic business environment.
3. Develop an understanding of the traits and behaviors of successful First Nations entrepreneurship and enterprises and their contribution to stewardship, subsidiarity, and the common good.
4. Analyse critically issues that will affect and assist First Nations businesses to compete in industry sectors.
5. Evaluate the impact of entrepreneurial approaches to business and the impact on the cultures and communities of First Nations' people and communicate this to various stakeholders.

Unit Content

Topics will include:

• The First Entrepreneurs
• Traits and behaviors
• Development Our Way
• First Nations' business contribution to the Australian economy
• The First Nations' Entrepreneur
• First Nations' start-ups
• Community-based enterprise
• Industry Strategies for First Nations
• First Nations Peoples in International Business
• Sourcing Financial Resources
• Overcoming barriers
• First Nations' women and entrepreneurship
• Stewardship, subsidiarity, and the common good
• The impact of business on First nation Communities

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. Such procedures may include, but are not limited to: essays, reports, examinations, student presentations, or case studies.

Assessment Tasks

1. Assessment Task 1: Critical Reflection - A 1000-word written journal entailing the reflection and evaluation of the first 5 weeks of this unit.
2. Assessment Task 2: Essay - Locate three organisational structures that contribute to the growth of First Nations entrepreneurship and enterprise within Australia and analyse and evaluate in a 1250-word essay how they address issues surrounding stewardship, subsidiarity, and the common good within First nations businesses.
3. Assessment Task 3: Major Essay - Utilising a case study, provide an analysis of how First Nations entrepreneurship contributes to the cultures and communities of First nations' people in a 1750-word essay.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

This unit will be taught in a multi-modal program using a variety of delivery strategies, including online delivery. Students should anticipate spending 150 hours of study for this unit, including weekly learning activities, readings, and assignment preparation.

Representative Texts and References

• Altman, Jon & Biddle, Nicholas, 2014. Refiguring Indigenous economies: a 21st-century perspective.
• Daes, E. 2004. The Impact of globalization on Indigenous intellectual property.
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2019. Showcasing Indigenous Business, Business Envoy.
• Hershey, R., 2012. Globalization and its special and significant Impacts on Indigenous Communities.
• Jacobsen, D., 2017. Tourism enterprises beyond the margins: the relational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SMEs in remote Australia.
• KPMG, 2016. Collaborative Ideas for Igniting the Indigenous Economy.
• McNaughton, Rod B & Gray, Brendan, 2017. Entrepreneurship and resilient communities – introduction to the special issue.
• Mika, Jason P et al., 2017. Perspectives on indigenous entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise.
• Rademaker, Laura and Rowse Tim (eds), 2020. Indigenous Self-Determination in Australia – Histories and Historiography, ANU Press.
• Sanders, W., 2016. Engaging Indigenous Economy. Debating diverse approaches, ANU Press.
• Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (SCFRGSP), 2016. Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators 2016, Productivity Commission, Canberra.
• Wood, Glenice J & Davidson, Marilyn J, 2011. A review of male and female Australian indigenous entrepreneurs.

Credit Points

10

Year

2026