What are the barriers to success for African-Australians in business and how can we address them?
This project aimed to strengthen the capacity of African-Australian entrepreneurs at the individual level, through their own enterprises, and as a community group, to provide an economic and social benefit for all Australians. The intention was to obtain a deeper understanding of the economic obstacles and unmet business education needs of recently arrived African-Australians operating in business communities within Australia. This was then used to design a teaching program that best fits those needs.
This program, the Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program, has been co-designed with the African-Australian community. It will provide a safe space to explore community-specific obstacles and build the business capabilities and networks of African-Australians.
Associate Professor Ben Neville [Department of Management and Marketing]
Associate Professor Geoff Martin [Melbourne Business School]
Associate Professor Brandon Lee [Melbourne Business School]
Associate Professor Helen Stokes [Melbourne Graduate School of Education]
Dr Diana Johns [School of Social and Political Sciences]
Associate Professor Michelle Evans [Department of Management and Marketing]
Haileluel Gebreselassie [African Think Tank]
Paige Van Every [Jesuit Social Services]
Co-Design Phase Report
The research team collaborated with African Australian entrepreneurs, business leaders and community leaders to understand their economic challenges and business education needs so that we can tailor the program to suit their business development and growth needs.
The team wanted to co-design the course with the community for both relevance and legitimacy. It undertook a 2-month research surveying secondary data on Africans living in Australia, as well as engaging with African community leaders and entrepreneurs through roundtables, focus groups and personal interviews.
Download a copy of the Co-Design Phase Report (PDF)
To request any of the Institute's reports in an accessible format please email us.
For information about this project, please contact:
Associate Professor Ben Neville
Department of Management and Marketing
Faculty of Business and Economics
Phone: +61 3 8344 1907
Email: banevi@unimelb.edu.au