A New Model of Aboriginal Social Enterprise

A new conceptual model of Aboriginal social enterprise is proposed incorporating the findings identified through this research (refer to Fig. 4). Social cohesion sits at the centre of the model, and the social enterprise is located firmly within the social structure of the community and clan group. These relationships, characterized by cultural obligations and the need for social cohesion, affect the operation of the enterprise, in particular the creation of social impact by the enterprise. The way in which the enterprise operates is also affected by the interconnected goals of the Aboriginal social entrepreneurs, and the way they make decisions about the enterprise. If decisions about the social enterprise favour social mission over profitability, then economic sustainability will be threatened. These goals and decisionmaking processes are informed by Aboriginal social and economic structures and cultural belief systems that frequently clash with non-Aboriginal approaches. In addition, external influences impact the operation of the social enterprise. These influences include the land administration system, as the granting of native title rights for Aboriginal people does not include the right to commercially develop their land. The complex and restrictive land use planning system also acts to restrict development in favour of environmental protection. In addition the tourism market impacts the enterprise with specific requirements for Aboriginal tourism products to

Fig. 4 A new model for aboriginal social enterprise (developed for this research) which the business owners respond. Finally the political environment, in the form of past and present government policy, impacts both the need for and operation of Aboriginal social enterprise. The social enterprise is impacted by these legal, regulatory, political and economic environments, and these impacts directly affect the operation of the enterprise.