Flinders University Department of Languages - Modern Greek
Abstract
In Australia’s economic landscape, a key dimension of trade activity can be found in the important link between cultural diversity and international business. For example, new migrants are likely to have strong links to business communities back home. Moreover, there are no language barriers, nor any cultural adjustments to make. This provides the context for exploring the role of ethnic business communities in Australia in enhancing international business activity especially with member countries of the European Union (EU), which as a single entity remains Australia’s largest economic partner. However, despite the importance of the EU to Australia as an economic partner, English-speaking nations (e.g., Britain) dominate Australia’s exporter list. In this spirit, we examine some of the features of diaspora/expatriate communities within Australia and Greece and consider strategies that can help enhance the role of Greek-Australian diaspora entrepreneurial networks and expand Australia’s economic engagement with the enlarged EU
