Aboriginal perspectives of enterprise clustering Dr. Damien Jacobsen Principal Research Leader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product Project Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation Southern Cross University, Australia
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Aboriginal perspectives of enterprise clustering
Dr. Damien Jacobsen
Principal Research LeaderAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product ProjectCooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic ParticipationSouthern Cross University, Australia
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What is enterprise clustering?
Clusters are ‘geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialised suppliers, service providers, firms in related industries, and associated institutions in particular fields that compete, but also co-operate’ Porter (1998, p. 197-8).
Participants are often located in the same geographical region and interrelated by characteristics (e.g. the landscape) or specialities.
Clusters come in all shapes and sizes
Creates value chain opportunities, as well as a range of benefit potential highlighted in the literature(see Michael 2003; Lade 2010; Ffowcs-Williams 2012).
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Common features of strong enterprise clusters
Culture of creativity, innovation and co-
opetition
Commitment to building
knowledge
Support from government and other agencies
Benefits to large and small
enterprises
Geographical proximity
Diverse links to wider industry
Skilled cluster participants Specialisation
Ability to adapt to new
technology/ways of doing business
Knowledge exchange through
personal interaction
Face to face interaction
Collaboration with other clusters
‘Bread and butter’ market
Strong communication Access to finance
Manager/leadership
Strong ‘brand’ attracting
customers, investors etc.
Physical infrastructure
Source: Ffowcs-Williams (2012, pp.34-38)
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Cluster-style approach developed or proposed around Australia, including: far north Queensland; Arnhem Land (Northern Territory); the Fitzroy River region (Western Australia); the Dampier Peninsula (Western Australia); Central Australia (Northern Territory); the Darwin region (Northern Territory); and, Outback New South Wales.
Previous study: Central Australia, applied Porter clustering approach but failed and conceded that the model ‘…needs much more explanation and possibly considerable modification…’ for use by Aboriginal tourism operators (Schmiechen, James & Tremblay 2010, p. 35).
Background – why Aboriginal perspectives of clustering?
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Reconceptualise Western concepts of enterprise clustering according to the worldviews and cultural perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people involved in tourism
Purpose of the study
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Decolonising research approach:Transformative – generate
emancipative possibilitiesCultural protocolPrivilege Aboriginal voice and expertiseAboriginal-ledOutcome review & approvals
(including photographs/video)Applied outputs
Qualitative focus group: dialogue and critical engagement with business practices
Participants: expert informants (demonstrated experience in cluster-style tourism)Analysis: Qualitative themes
Design
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October 2014: hosted on Nykina country - Kimberley, Western Australia.Day 1 – discuss western enterprise clustering concepts - Ffowcs-Williams (2012). Group work – brainstorm Aboriginal enterprise clustering perspectivesDay 2: Participants reduce 141 issues/perspectives to 44
Ffowcs-Williams I (Ed). 2012. Cluster Development: The Go-To Handbook: Building Competitiveness through Smart Specialisation. Cluster Navigators Limited: Nelson, New Zealand.
Jacobsen, D., 2016. Tourism enterprises beyond the margins: the relational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SMEs in remote Australia. Tourism Planning & Development, pp.1-19.
Lade, C. 2010. Developing tourism clusters and networks: attitudes to competition along Australia’s Murray River. Tourism Analysis 15, pp. 649-661.
Michael, E. J. 2003. Tourism micro-clusters. Tourism Economics, 9(2), pp. 133–145.
Porter, M.E. 1998. ‘Clusters and competition: New agendas for companies, governments, and institutions’ in On Competition. in Porter, M. (Ed.). Harvard Business School Press. Boston.
Schmallegger, D., Carson, D. and Tremblay, P. 2010. The economic geography of remote tourism: The problem of connection seeking. Tourism Analysis, 15 (1), pp. 127-139.
Schmiechen, J., James, D. & Tremblay, P. 2010. Learning markets and indigenous tourism: action research pilot of a learning markets cluster in Central Australia. CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd.