Towards the conceptualisation of African business leadership and its effectiveness
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Authors
Lerutla, Delpha Matete
Issue Date
2025-06-15
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
African , Business , Conceptualisation , Cultural values , Effectiveness , Mixed methods , Research paradigms , Sub-Sahara , Ubuntu
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background: Empirical evidence on African leadership in general, particularly African business leadership, is sparse. Despite growing interest in contextual leadership understanding, findings indicate the dominance of Western paradigms. These paradigms downplay indigenous views, leading local and expatriate leaders to follow Western guidance on leadership primarily. Incorporating indigenous models could enhance leadership effectiveness. Aim: The study aims to conceptualise leadership in Africa and define what leadership effectiveness entails within this context. Setting: The study includes diverse participants, with insights from young aspiring leaders and established leaders. Method: To ensure comprehensive findings, a multi-paradigm and mixed-methods approach was used. Relevant research paradigms and methods, including cross-sectional surveys and participant interviews, were applied to each objective. Findings: The findings reveal a unique blend of traits in African leadership. Positive attributes like humanity, hope, and entrepreneurship coexist with challenges such as developmental needs and corruption. Despite these challenges, the effectiveness of African leadership remains comparable to the outcome achieved using Western approaches. Conclusion: The research highlights the complexity of African business leadership (ABL) and its effectiveness. It demonstrates that integrating unique cultural values with globally recognised leadership attributes creates a nuanced framework that deepens the understanding of ABL and the measurement of its effectiveness. Recommendations: The study recommends that African academics deepen their understanding of ABL to advance effective leadership practices tailored to the African context. Leadership practitioners and HR professionals are encouraged to incorporate African attributes alongside trusted Western paradigms in development initiatives. Contributions: This study enriches theoretical and methodological debates on African leadership by integrating diverse methodologies to introduce a comprehensive conceptualisation of ABL and its efficacy. It underscores the importance of incorporating cultural values, notably Ubuntu, in discussions on leadership effectiveness.