Culture and leadership in Kenya
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Authors
Anaya, Ella Ruth
Issue Date
2016-08
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Leadership , Management , Sub-Saharan Africa , Kenya , GLOBE study , Culture dimensions , Ethnicity , Leadership cultural metaphors , Social development , Organisational behaviour , Industry sectors
Alternative Title
Abstract
This dissertation investigates managerial leadership and its cultural foundations in Kenya.
It discusses the theoretical underpinnings of culturally contingent leadership theories, and
examines Sub-Saharan African leadership through existing literature, cultural metaphors,
and qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The study replicates the Global
Leadership and Organisational Behaviour Effectiveness (GLOBE) methodologies with
267 respondents – managers in the finance and food processing sectors, and the civic
sector (education and health). The literature review focuses on leadership issues
impeding socio-economic development, complexities such as ethnic heterogeneity,
colonial history, customary practices, instability in governance, conflict, corruption, and
poverty. The cultural domain is also examined in terms of ethno-linguistic groups and
major historical and geo-political influences on these groups. Additional aspects of
culture that pose persistent problems to Kenyan leadership are explored: paternalism and
patronage, and the legacy of entitlement and bureaucracy –– negative influences on workrelated
relations, and managerial and political leadership. Findings on organisational
culture and societal culture indicate that Kenyan values and practices are not congruent,
thereby creating a unique profile of Kenyan leader attributes and leadership styles. The
study identifies Bwana Kubwa (Big Boss) managerial leadership as a norm, political
leadership as “a dirty game,” and an “inspirational idealist” as the preferred leader.
Lastly, survey results for Kenya are compared against GLOBE dimensions of culture and
leadership for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as against West Africa.
Description
Citation
Anaya, Ella Ruth (2016) Culture and leadership in Kenya, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/22073>