Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): The International Journal of Indigenous Business
Articles

Moments in Time: A Systematic Review of Indigenous Business Research 1999–2019

Akbar et al_PDF
  • Skye Akbar,
  • Alex Brown,
  • Deirdre Tedmanson,
  • Janine Williamson
Skye Akbar
University of South Australia
Bio
Alex Brown
Australian National University
Bio
Deirdre Tedmanson
University of South Australia
Bio
Janine Williamson
University of South Australia
Bio
Inaugural Edition: International Journal of Indigenous Business
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64222/BTIS6328

Published 2026-02-17

Keywords

  • Indigenous business,
  • Indigenous entrepreneurship,
  • Systematic Review,
  • Indigenous methodologies,
  • etic-emic perspectives

How to Cite

Akbar, S., Brown, A., Tedmanson, D., & Williamson, J. (2026). Moments in Time: A Systematic Review of Indigenous Business Research 1999–2019. The International Journal of Indigenous Business, 1(1), 28–49. https://doi.org/10.64222/BTIS6328

Copyright (c) 2026 Skye Akbar, Alex Brown, Deirdre Tedmanson, Janine Williamson

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Industry based studies show that Indigenous participation in business is increasing worldwide and academic research shows that Indigenous businesses successfully operate in both local and national markets, making significant economic and social contributions to their economies. However, Indigenous businesses are differentiated from mainstream businesses by many attributes, including close connection to community and inclusion of cultural heritage and values within business practices. These cultural values may at times conflict with mainstream perceptions of business. This paper adds to the discourse arguing that Indigenous business research is taking place in business schools, therefore there is a need for Indigenous business researchers within business schools to provide Indigenous business stakeholders with alternatives to western-based perspectives that currently dominate the field. This systematic review, undertaken in 2020, examines the field of Indigenous business research for the period 1999–2019 to identify what progress the field has made towards providing these alternatives, and what business schools need to do in the future to enable Indigenous business owners and business people worldwide to use research included within this review to make evidence-based arguments and decisions about their businesses. This review uses quality indicators perpetuated by business schools to guide which papers are included in the analysis. It identifies key trends in research to date and related gaps in the field, presents a conceptual framework for consideration by business schools of future directions in Indigenous business research, and proposes recommendations for future research.

Akbar et al_PDF

References

  1. Abascal, T. E. (2019). Indigenous tourism in Australia: Understanding the link between cultural heritage and intention to participate using the means-end chain theory. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 14(3), 263–281.
  2. Akbar, S. (2016). Marketing remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism to Australians [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of South Australia.
  3. Akbar, S., & Hallak, R. (2019). Identifying business practices promoting sustainability in Aboriginal tourism enterprises in remote Australia. Sustainability, 11(17), 4589.
  4. Akbar, S., & Sharp, A. (2020). Strengths and challenges of Aboriginal art centre marketing. Australian Aboriginal Studies, 1, 66–83.
  5. Amoamo, M. (2011). Tourism and hybridity: Re-visiting Bhabha’s third space. Annals of Tourism Research, 38(4), 1254–1273.
  6. Amoamo, M., Ruckstuhl, K., & Ruwhiu, D. (2018). Balancing Indigenous values through diverse economies: A case study of Māori ecotourism. Tourism Planning & Development, 15(5), 478–495.
  7. Ashwell, J. (2015). Going bush? Factors which influence international tourists’ decisions to travel to remote Australian destinations. Tourism Management, 46, 80–83.
  8. Austin, B. J., & Garnett, S. T. (2011). Indigenous wildlife enterprise. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 5(4), 309–323.
  9. Bainbridge, R., Tsey, K., McCalman, J., & Towle, S. (2014). The quantity, quality and characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian mentoring literature: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 1263.
  10. Balbinot, Z., Minghini, L., & Borim-de-Souza, R. (2012). Indigenous Brazilian management practices. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(4), 132–147.
  11. Banerjee, S., & Tedmanson, D. (2010). Grass burning under our feet: Indigenous enterprise development in a political economy of whiteness. Management Learning, 41(2), 147–165.
  12. Barr, T. L., Reid, J., Catska, P., Varona, G., & Rout, M. (2018). Development of Indigenous enterprise in a contemporary business environment – the Ngāi Tahu Ahikā approach. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 12(4), 454–471.
  13. Bélanger Baur, A. A. (2019). Indigenous-owned exporting small and medium enterprises in Canada. Global Affairs Canada and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. https://www.international.gc.ca/tradecommerce/assets/pdfs/indigenous_sme-pme_autochtones-eng.pdf
  14. Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2018). Business research methods (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  15. Berger, D. N. (Ed.). (2019). The Indigenous world 2019. International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. https://www.iwgia.org/images/documents/indigenous-world/IndigenousWorld2019_UK.pdf
  16. Bowen, F., Newenham-Kahindi, A., & Herremans, I. (2010). When suits meet roots: The antecedents and
  17. consequences of community engagement strategy. Journal of Business Ethics, 95(2), 297–318.
  18. Boyd, J., & Trosper, R. (2010). The use of joint ventures to accomplish Aboriginal economic development: Two examples from British Columbia. International Journal of the Commons, 4(1), 36–55.
  19. Brueckner, M., Spencer, R., Wise, G., & Banduk, M. (2016). A third space social enterprise: Closing the gap through cross-cultural learning. Australian Aboriginal Studies, 2, 18–32.
  20. Bruton, G. D., Zahra, S. A., & Cai, L. (2018). Examining entrepreneurship through Indigenous lenses. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 42(3), 351–361.
  21. Bunten, A. C. (2011). A call for attention to Indigenous capitalisms. New Proposals: Journal of Marxism and Interdisciplinary Inquiry, 5(1), 60–71.
  22. Cachon, J.-C. (2000). Aboriginal entrepreneurship on reserves: Some empirical data from Northern Ontario and considerations following the Supreme Court of Canada decision on the Delgamuukw v. British Columbia appeal. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 15(3), 2–14.
  23. Cahn, M. (2008). Indigenous entrepreneurship, culture and micro-enterprise in the Pacific Islands: Case studies from Samoa. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 20(1), 1–18.
  24. Campo, A. R. R., & Turbay, S. (2015). The silence of the Kogi in front of tourists. Annals of Tourism Research, 52, 44–59.
  25. Carr, A., Ruhanen, L., & Whitford, M. (2016). Indigenous peoples and tourism: The challenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(8–9), 1067–1079.
  26. Collins, J., Morrison, M., Basu, P. K., & Krivokapic-Skoko, B. (2017). Indigenous culture and entrepreneurship in small businesses in Australia. Small Enterprise Research, 24(1), 36–48.
  27. Croce, F. (2017). Contextualized Indigenous entrepreneurial models: A systematic review of Indigenous
  28. entrepreneurship literature. Journal of Management & Organization, 23(6), 886–906.
  29. Dana, L.-P. (2015). Indigenous entrepreneurship: An emerging field of research. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 14(2), 158–169.
  30. Dana, L.-P., & Anderson, R. B. (Eds.). (2007). International handbook of research on Indigenous entrepreneurship. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  31. Dana, L.-P., & Waata Jr, H. (2011). Planting seeds of enterprise: Understanding Māori perspectives on the economic application of flora and fauna in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 5(3), 199–211.
  32. Drysdale, C. (2018). World economic situation and prospects 2018. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
  33. Espeso-Molinero, P., Carlisle, S., & Pastor-Alfonso, M. J. (2016). Knowledge dialogue through Indigenous tourism product design: A collaborative research process with the Lacandon of Chiapas, Mexico. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(8–9), 1331–1349.
  34. Fernandes, S. B. (2013, 29 November). Building resilience capacity through innovation: Highlights from European reports [Paper presentation]. 19th APDR Workshop: Resilient Territories: Innovation and Creativity for New Modes of Regional Development, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
  35. First Australians Capital. (2023). Addressing Indigenous economic inclusion in the social enterprise sector: Social Enterprise World Forum reflection report. https://whiteboxenterprises.com.au/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/Addressing-Indigenous-Economic-Inclusion-in-the-Social-Enterprise-Sector-7.pdf
  36. Fisher, S., & Rola-Rubzen, M. F. (2011). More than a drop in the ocean: How can good examples of remote services be replicated? Ninti One Limited. https://www.nintione.com.au/resources/rao/more-than-a-drop-in-the-ocean-howcan-good-examples-of-remote-services-be-replicated/
  37. Flamsteed, K., & Golding, B. (2005). Learning through Indigenous business: The role of vocational education and training in Indigenous enterprise and community development. National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
  38. Fleming, A. E., Petheram, L., & Stacey, N. (2015). Australian Indigenous women’s seafood harvesting practices and prospects for integrating aquaculture. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 9(2), 156–181.
  39. Foley, D. (1999). Entrepreneurship in Indigenous Australia: The importance of education. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 27(2), 47–54.
  40. Foley, D. (2003). An examination of Indigenous Australian entrepreneurs. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 8(2), 133–152.
  41. Foley, D. (2004). Understanding Indigenous entrepreneurship: A case study analysis [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. The University of Queensland.
  42. Foley, D. (2006). Indigenous standpoint theory: An acceptable academic research process for Indigenous academics. International Journal of the Humanities, 3(8), 25–36.
  43. Foley, D. (2008). Does culture and social capital impact on the networking attributes of Indigenous entrepreneurs?
  44. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 2(3), 204–224.
  45. Foley, D., & O’Connor, A. J. (2013). Social capital and the networking practices of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Journal of Small Business Management, 51(2), 276–296.
  46. Fordham, A., Fogarty, W., Corey, B., & Fordham, D. (2013). Knowledge foundations for the development of sustainable wildlife enterprises in remote Indigenous communities of Australia. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University.
  47. Frederick, H., & Dzisi, S. (2008). Entrepreneurial activities of Indigenous African women: A case of Ghana. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 2(3), 254–264.
  48. Fuller, D., Buultjens, J., & Cummings, E. (2005). Ecotourism and Indigenous micro-enterprise formation in northern Australia opportunities and constraints. Tourism Management, 26(6), 891–904.
  49. Fuller, D., & Cummings, E. (2003). Indigenous small enterprise in northern Australia: A case study of the Warai. Journal of Small Business Management, 41(1), 108–115.
  50. Giovannini, M. (2016). Alternatives to development: The contribution of Indigenous community enterprises in Chiapas. Journal of International Development, 28(7), 1138–1154.
  51. Godin, K., Stapleton, J., Kirkpatrick, S. I., Hanning, R. M., & Leatherdale, S. T. (2015). Applying systematic review search methods to the grey literature: A case study examining guidelines for school-based breakfast programs in Canada. Systematic Reviews, 4(1), 138.
  52. Gorbuntsova, T., Dobson, S., & Palmer, N. (2019). Diverse geographies of power and spatial production: Tourism industry development in the Yamal Peninsula, Northern Siberia. Annals of Tourism Research, 76, 67–79.
  53. Gordon, M. E. G., Kayseas, B., & Moroz, P. W. (2017). New venture creation and opportunity structure constraints: Indigenous-controlled development through joint ventures in the Canadian potash industry. Small Enterprise Research, 24(1), 1–22.
  54. Haar, J., Roche, M., & Brougham, D. (2019). Indigenous insights into ethical leadership: A study of Māori leaders. Journal of Business Ethics, 160(3), 621–640.
  55. Hall, C. M. (2011). Publish and perish? Bibliometric analysis, journal ranking and the assessment of research quality in tourism. Tourism Management, 32(1), 16–27.
  56. Henry, L. (2011). The application of cultural values by contemporary Alaska Native leaders and Alaska Native Corporations: Individual and organizational implications [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Pepperdine University.
  57. Higgins-Desbiolles, F., Trevorrow, G., & Sparrow, S. (2014). The Coorong Wilderness Lodge: A case study of planning failures in Indigenous tourism. Tourism Management, 44, 46–57.
  58. Hindle, K. (2005). Contrasting Indigenous entrepreneurship in Australia and Canada: How three applied research perspectives can improve policy and programs. Small Enterprise Research, 13(1), 92–106.
  59. Hindle, K., & Lansdowne, M. (2005). Brave spirits on new paths: Toward a globally relevant paradigm of Indigenous entrepreneurship research. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 18(2), 131–141.
  60. Hindle, K., & Moroz, P. (2010). Indigenous entrepreneurship as a research field: Developing a definitional framework from the emerging canon. International Entrepreneurship Management Journal, 6(4), 357–385.
  61. Holder, A., & Ruhanen, L. (2019). Exploring the market appeal of Indigenous tourism: A netnographic perspective. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 25(2), 149–161.
  62. Horowitz, L. S., Keeling, A., Lévesque, F., Rodon, T., Schott, S., & Thériault, S. (2018). Indigenous peoples’
  63. relationships to large-scale mining in post/colonial contexts: Toward multidisciplinary comparative perspectives. The Extractive Industries and Society, 5(3), 404–414.
  64. Hunt, J. (2018). Let’s talk about success: Exploring factors behind positive change in Aboriginal communities. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University.
  65. Hunter, B. (2004). Australian Census analytic program: Indigenous Australians in the contemporary labour market, 2001. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University.
  66. https://caepr.cass.anu.edu.au/research/publications/indigenous-australians-contemporary-labour-marketindigenous-australians
  67. Hunter, B. (2013). Recent growth in Indigenous self-employed and entrepreneurs. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University. https://caepr.cass.anu.edu.au/research/publications/recentgrowth-indigenous-self-employed-and-entrepreneurs
  68. Hunter, B. (2015). Indigenous employment and businesses: Whose business is it to employ Indigenous workers? Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University.
  69. Islam, D., & Berkes, F. (2017). Between a business and a social enterprise: The Norway House Fisherman’s Co-op, northern Manitoba, Canada. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 11(5), 530–546.
  70. Jack, G., Zhu, Y., Barney, J., Brannen, M. Y., Prichard, C., Singh, K., & Whetten, D. (2013). Refining, reinforcing and reimagining universal and Indigenous theory development in international management. Journal of Management Inquiry, 22(2), 148–164.
  71. Jackson, T., Amaeshi, K., & Yavuz, S. (2008). Untangling African Indigenous management: Multiple influences on the success of SMEs in Kenya. Journal of World Business, 43(4), 400–416.
  72. Kausar, D. R. K., & Gunawan, M. P. (2018). Managing heritage tourism in Toraja: Strengthening local values and improving tourists’ experiences. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 13(6), 550–561.
  73. Kawharu, M. (2018). Reinterpreting the value chain in an Indigenous community enterprise context. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 13(3), 242–262.
  74. Kitchenham, B. (2004). Procedures for performing systematic reviews. Keele University.
  75. Lee-Ross, D., & Mitchell, B. (2007). Doing business in the Torres Straits: A study of the relationship between culture and the nature of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 12(2), 199–216.
  76. Lenette, C. (2022). Cultural safety in participatory arts-based research: How can we do better? Journal of Participatory Research Methods, 3(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.32606
  77. Lituchy, T. R., Reavley, M. A., Lvina, E., & Abraira, R. J. (2006). Success factors of Aboriginal women entrepreneurs: A study of Mohawk community in Canada. International Journal of Entrepreneurship Small Business, 3(6), 760–778.
  78. Macknight, C. C. (1972). Macassans and Aborigines. Oceania, 42(4), 283–321.
  79. Madichie, N. O., Nkamnebe, A. D., & Idemobi, E. I. (2008). Cultural determinants of entrepreneurial emergence in a typical sub‐Sahara African context. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 2(4), 291–302.
  80. Mason, A. H. M., Anderson, R. B., & Dana, L.-P. (2012). Inuit culture and opportunity recognition for commercial caribou harvests in the bio economy. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 6(3), 194–212.
  81. McInnis-Bowers, C., Parris, D. L., & Galperin, B. L. (2017). Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 11(1), 39–60.
  82. Meis Mason, A. H. (2015). Canadian Inuit use of caribou and Swedish Sámi use of reindeer in entrepreneurship [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Canterbury. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/10804
  83. Melubo, K., & Carr, A. (2019). Developing Indigenous tourism in the bomas: Critiquing issues from within the Maasai community in Tanzania. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 14(3), 219–232.
  84. Miller, C. (2005). Aspects of training that meet Indigenous Australians’ aspirations: A systematic review of research. National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
  85. Morley, S. R. (2014). Success factors for Indigenous entrepreneurs and community-based enterprises. Closing the Gap Clearinghouse.
  86. Munro, J., Kobryn, H., Palmer, D., Bayley, S., & Moore, S. A. (2019). Charting the coast: Spatial planning for tourism using public participation GIS. Current Issues in Tourism, 22(4), 486–504.
  87. Murphy, H., & Harwood, S. (2017). Walking on Country with Bana Yarralji Bubu: A model for Aboriginal social enterprise tourism. In P.J. Sheldon & R. Daniele (Eds.), Social entrepreneurship and tourism: Philosophy and practice (pp. 295–314). Springer.
  88. Ndemo, B. (2005). Maasai entrepreneurship and change. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 18(2), 207–219.
  89. Parris, D. L., & Peachey, J. W. (2013). A systematic literature review of servant leadership theory in organizational contexts. Journal of Business Ethics, 113(3), 377–393.
  90. Pettersson, R. (2002). Sami tourism in northern Sweden: Measuring tourists’ opinions using stated preference methodology. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 3(4), 357–369.
  91. Popova, U. (2014). Conservation, traditional knowledge, and Indigenous peoples. American Behavioral Scientist, 58(1), 197–214.
  92. Porter, M. E. (2008). The five competitive forces that shape strategy. Harvard Business Review, 86(1), 25–40.
  93. Rigney, L.-I. (1999). Internationalization of an Indigenous anti-colonial cultural critique of research methodologies: A guide to Indigenist research methodology and its principles. Wicazo Sa Review, 14(2), 109–121.
  94. Seet, P.-S., Jones, J., Acker, T., & Jogulu, U. (2021). Meaningful careers in social enterprises in remote Australia: Employment decisions among Australian Indigenous art centre workers. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(8), 1643–1684.
  95. Sinkovics, R. R., & Ghauri, P. N. (2008). Enhancing the trustworthiness of qualitative research in international business. Management International Review, 48(6), 689–714.
  96. Supply Nation. (2018). Indigenous business growth: Working together to realise potential.
  97. https://supplynation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Building-Indigenous-Growth-Report.pdf
  98. Swinney, J. (2008). Sponsorship, community, and social capital resources in Indigenous communities. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 13(03), 363–379.
  99. Toffel, M. W. (2016). Enhancing the practical relevance of research. Production and Operations Management, 25(9), 1493–1505.
  100. Tranfield, D., & Starkey, K. (1998). The nature, social organization and promotion of management research: Towards policy. British Journal of Management, 9(4), 341–353.
  101. Tsui, A. S. (2004). Contributing to global management knowledge: A case for high quality Indigenous research. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 21(4), 491–513.
  102. United Nations. (2009). State of the world’s Indigenous peoples (Vol. 9). United Nations Publications.
  103. Victor, L. (2008). Systematic reviewing. Social Research UPDATE, 54(1), 1–4. https://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SRU54.pdf
  104. Weaver, D. (2010). Indigenous tourism stages and their implications for sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18(1), 43–60.
  105. Yong, S. (2019). Pride or prejudice: Accounting and Polynesian entrepreneurs. Pacific Accounting Review, 31(2), 182–207.