The Queensland Government is seeking to improve the number of Indigenous people in Queensland operating businesses.
Franchising may be an appropriate model, as the framework and processes provided in a franchise organisation may provide opportunities for success, given the cultural requirements of Indigenous people.
Objectives
The purpose of this exploratory research is to:
- Assess the product and service needs of two discrete Indigenous communities and identify service gaps. Ascertain a range of common product and service needs that could potentially be serviced by franchise organisations.
- Interview several franchisors in the areas of need to determine whether they recognise potential for a version of their model to be adapted for remote communities.
- Identify if there are synergies for franchise systems to work together to fulfil needs in remote communities.
- Assess the experience and lessons of PNS in Malaysia in terms of support to the local indigenous people (the Bumiputra) through the franchise business model.
- Analyse the findings, exploring the potential for the opportunity of a “quasi-franchise” or other adaptations of the franchise model that may lead to success in remote Indigenous communities.
- Provide recommendations as to the next steps given the findings of the research.
About discrete Indigenous communities
Discrete communities have a fairly low population, ranging from 300 to 4,000 people.
According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, a discrete Indigenous community refers to a geographic location, and inhabited or intended to be inhabited by predominantly Indigenous people, with housing or infrastructure that is either owned or managed on a community basis.
Discrete communities include:
- communities in urban areas where the title to a parcel of land has been transferred to an Indigenous organisation, for example, communities on former mission or reserve land in New South Wales and Queensland;
well established communities and outstations in remote areas; - Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) communities and their outstations in Queensland as well as the two shires of Aurukun and Mornington Island; and
- communities on Indigenous pastoral properties/leases.
