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Indigenous Australians in the labour market: exploring the role of social capital

This paper explores the role of social capital externalities in the labour market outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Australians, a culturally distinct and highly disadvantaged group in Australian society. Data from the 2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Social Survey [NATSISS] are used to construct measures of the quantity and diversity of social capital that an individual may utilise. While contextual in nature, we find that the externalities which stem from these forms of social capital have a strong association with labour market participation and the ability to secure meaningful employment, consistent with a 'bonding, bridging and linking' conceptualisation previously proposed in the theoretical literature. From a practical standpoint, the results raise important considerations for individuals and organisations who aim to address Indigenous disadvantage through the labour market.

This paper explores the role of social capital externalities in the labour market outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Straight ...  Show Full Abstract  

Authors: Van Es, Robert Vurens; Dockery, Michael
Corporate authors: Curtin University. Centre for Labour Market Research (CLMR)
Date: 2008
Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia
Resource type: Paper
Series name: CLMR discussion paper series
Subjects: Disadvantaged; Indigenous people; Statistics;

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