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Managerial Leadership and Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

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  • Wanasika, Isaac
  • Howell, Jon P.
  • Littrell, Romie
  • Dorfman, Peter

Abstract

This paper examines managerial leadership and its cultural and historical foundations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The analysis is based on existing literature, a qualitative analysis of African media reports, and quantitative results from the Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) project. The five SSA countries studied were Nigeria, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa (black sample). Results yielded several common themes that characterize SSA leadership patterns across the region. In particular, a common cultural characteristic, ubuntu, was reflected in high levels of group solidarity, paternalistic leadership, and Humane Oriented leadership. Although the negative legacy of colonial dominance has contributed to a culture of corruption, poverty, tribalism and violence, charismatic leaders frequently invoke indigenous cultural values and means to overcome these problems. Implications for further development of global leadership theories are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Wanasika, Isaac & Howell, Jon P. & Littrell, Romie & Dorfman, Peter, 2011. "Managerial Leadership and Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 234-241, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:46:y:2011:i:2:p:234-241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris Allen, 1999. "Warfare, endemic violence & state collapse in Africa," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(81), pages 367-384.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tendai Makwara & Dennis Yao Dzansi & Crispen Chipunza, 2023. "Contested Notions of Ubuntu as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Theory in Africa: An Exploratory Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, April.
    2. K. Praveen Parboteeah & Matthias Weiss & Martin Hoegl, 2024. "Ethical Climates Across National Contexts: A Meta-Analytical Investigation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 189(3), pages 573-590, January.
    3. Mark F Peterson & Mikael Søndergaard & Aycan Kara, 2018. "Traversing cultural boundaries in IB: The complex relationships between explicit country and implicit cultural group boundaries at multiple levels," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(8), pages 1081-1099, October.
    4. Loubna Tahssain-Gay & Laïla Benraiss-Nailles & Sophie Hennekam-Treguier, 2020. "Enjeux des dimensions culturelles dans le management de la diversité au sein des multinationales aux Pays-Bas et au Maroc," Post-Print hal-02872824, HAL.
    5. Debmalya Mukherjee & Saumyaranjan Sahoo & Satish Kumar, 2023. "Two Decades of International Business and International Management Scholarship on Africa: A Review and Future Directions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(6), pages 863-909, December.
    6. Wang Xuhui & Jia Liu & Frida Pacho, 2018. "Societal, Culture and Entrepreneurial Opportunities Exploitation of New Venture Activities: Mediating Role of Proactiveness," International Journal of Regional Development, Macrothink Institute, vol. 5(2), pages 1-41, December.
    7. Ufere, Nnaoke & Gaskin, James & Perelli, Sheri & Somers, Antoinette & Boland, Richard, 2020. "Why is bribery pervasive among firms in sub-Saharan African countries? Multi-industry empirical evidence of organizational isomorphism," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 92-104.
    8. Bird, Allan & Mendenhall, Mark E., 2016. "From cross-cultural management to global leadership: Evolution and adaptation," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 115-126.
    9. Dorfman, Peter & Javidan, Mansour & Hanges, Paul & Dastmalchian, Ali & House, Robert, 2012. "GLOBE: A twenty year journey into the intriguing world of culture and leadership," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 504-518.
    10. Ifedapo Adeleye & John Luiz & Judy Muthuri & Kenneth Amaeshi, 2020. "Business Ethics in Africa: The Role of Institutional Context, Social Relevance, and Development Challenges," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(4), pages 717-729, February.
    11. Peter Akosah-Twumasi & Faith Alele & Amy M. Smith & Theophilus I. Emeto & Daniel Lindsay & Komla Tsey & Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli, 2020. "Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-16, February.

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