About SEAANZ
Who are we?
Since 1987 the Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Ltd (SEAANZ) has served as a focal point for research, education, policy and practice in the field of small to medium enterprise and entrepreneurship.
SEAANZ is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee that is an independent voice in understanding the nature of small firms, how they operate and how they might be supported by government, industry and academia.
Organisational Profile
The Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand (SEAANZ) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the advancement, development and understanding of small enterprise within Australia and New Zealand. Founded in Sydney in 1987, SEAANZ is dedicated to research, policy development and the dissemination of ideas relating to entrepreneurship and small business management for the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector within the Australasian region.
The New Zealand chapter of SEAANZ was formed in 1991 and incorporated in 1994. Our journal, Small Enterprise Research, commenced publication in 1992. It remains today the only dedicated small business journal in the Australasian region.
SEAANZ became an affiliate member of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) in 1992. Established in 1955, the ICSB was the first international organisation dedicated to the promotion, growth and development of small businesses at the global level. Membership ceased in 2020 when ICSB stopped being an affiliate based organisation.
In 2013 SEAANZ became a member of the Asia Council for Small Business (ACSB). Established in 2013, the ACSB was a regional council of affiliates of the ICSB. It included ICSB Korea, ICSB China, ICSB Taiwan, ICSB Singapore and SEAANZ. When the SEAANZ membership of ICSB ceased in 2020, ACSB also withdrew from ICSB affiliation and reorganised around each country’s key non-profit economic development group. SEAANZ is a founding member of the Asia Small Business Federation (ASBF) and represents Australia and New Zealand to ASBF. Countries holding membership in ASBF include Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, China, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, and Philippines. Other countries are considering their status and will be added at a later date”
Our Professional Network
A list of our associates, partners and collaborators can be found here. View ListOur Vision
The guiding vision of SEAANZ is to provide a recognised and respected source of knowledge and information on small enterprise research, policy and practice in Australia and New Zealand.
Our MISSION
The mission of SEAANZ is to serve as a hub and connection point for communities of practice across Australia and New Zealand that are engaged in research, education and training, support, policy and practice in the field of small enterprise.
Objectives
The objectives of the Association as taken from the SEAANZ Constitution are to advance the development and understanding of small enterprise by:
FURTHERING
Furthering the development of scholarship, education and research in small enterprise and enterprise management, including encouraging the application of research findings.
IDENTIFYING
Identifying and developing proposals for programs to meet small enterprise needs.
COMMUNICATING
Communicating and disseminating ideas and information on small enterprise and promoting their discussion by the holding of conferences, publishing material and other appropriate means
LIAISING
Liaising, including affiliating, with other associations or bodies with similar objectives.
MAKING
Making representations and/or providing commentaries to Government or to other bodies on any matter relevant to the Association.
DOING
Doing all such other things as are conducive or incidental to the attainment of any of the above objectives.
Strategic Plan
SEAANZ has developed its strategic plan for 2016-2018 focusing on developing its programs to draw together the “four streams” of the research, education, policy and practice communities in Australia, New Zealand and the wider region.
SEAANZ seeks to bring together within its membership three broad communities comprising the academics and students from universities and other higher education institutions (e.g. vocational training colleges), large government and business institutions, and the owner-managers of small enterprises and their advisors. As shown in the SEAANZ Strategy Framework these three communities are united by SEAANZ membership and organisation focuses on five key areas:
- The development of theoretical and applied research into the field of small enterprise.
- The development of education programs relating to the field of small enterprise.
- The communication and dissemination of research, information and knowledge across the SEAANZ communities to enhance understanding and foster collaboration.
- The promotion of well-informed, evidence-based policy and practice in small enterprise.
- The facilitation of connections between the “Four Streams” by SEAANZ through a range of mechanisms including conferences, workshops and other media.
The 25th Anniversary of SEAANZ
SEAANZ 25th Anniversary EditorialIn 2012 SEAANZ celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
A special feature article in our journal (SER) outlines the history of SEAANZ since its foundation in 1987.
Secretariat
For more information on SEAANZ please use the form to the right or contact:
Ruth Jackson
SEAANZ Secretariat
admin@seaanz.org