Research
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) commissions, participates in and supports targeted and practical research to grow the evidence base that determines its approach to Indigenous economic development.
IBA also shares its knowledge and expertise with government and industry partners so that they have the best possible information to achieve their objectives to increase Indigenous economic independence. Such partnerships also provide us with opportunities to explore new ideas and strategies to assist Indigenous people to engage with the wider economy.
The direction and focus of our research projects is driven by a research strategy, which is subject to an annual review with program areas and the IBA Executive to identify research priorities and ensure these remain appropriate and relevant to program needs.
The table below lists recent research projects and reports produced under that strategy.
| Report/Project | Details |
| Social Returns on Investment (SROI) | IBA has developed two new profiling tools to measure the broader social and economic outcomes of its investments. The Social Return on Investments (SROI) tool measures the social and economic value of employment, training and dividends to our Indigenous partners. The baseline indexing tool captures indicators considered important to Indigenous economic security and growth prior to the existence of a joint venture within a community. These baseline social indicators are then tracked over time to measure improvement. The SROI tool will be implemented in 2009–10. |
| East Arnhem Land Business Development Approach: An interim review of IBA’s approach to developing small businesses in East Arnhem Land (PDF 1.67MB, new window) | SGS Economics and Planning report reviewing the Indigenous small business development model in Galiwin’ku, Northern Territory and determining the feasibility of implementing the model in other Indigenous communities. The review recommended that the five-step, grassroots Indigenous small business development model be extended to other Indigenous communities in rural and remote areas. The model will be extended to those areas in 2009–10. |
| Attitudes and Perceptions of Indigenous Business People | This survey covers research about motivation, success factors and barriers experienced by Indigenous business owners. |
| More Than a Roof Overhead | Australian Research Council Research grant with RMIT University, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, state housing departments, the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Charles Darwin University that aims to ensure that current and future investment in housing can maximise Indigenous outcomes in terms of housing and broader socio-economic circumstances. |
| Perceptions of Home Ownership among IBA Home Loan Clients (PDF 854KB, new window) | Anna Szava and Mark Moran’s report for IBA and the Centre for Appropriate Technology highlights the key economic and social benefits of home ownership as perceived by a selection of IBA’s clients from Queensland and the Northern Territory. |