Towards advancing African management scholarship

Journal article


Ibeh, K., Eyong, J. and Amaeshi, K. 2022. Towards advancing African management scholarship. Journal of Management History. 28 (2), pp. 187-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-11-2021-0061
AuthorsIbeh, K., Eyong, J. and Amaeshi, K.
Abstract

Purpose
This paper aims to address the main arguments put forward in Grietjie Verhoef’s article and contribute to a wider debate among management scholars on the role of indigenous theories. It challenges the view of African management as illusory and points to the rising support for indigenous theories as indicative of the weakening of the unquestioned dominance of universal theories.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes a conceptual and critically reflective approach, underpinned by a 360-degree evaluation of pertinent literature and theoretical arguments.

Findings
This paper reveals an underlying symmetry and interconnectedness, anchored on a shared communal ethos, among Afrocentric management concepts, specifically Ubuntu, Ekpe and Igbo apprenticeship systems. This symmetry points to an underlying indigenous management theory that begs to be further conceptualised, evidenced and advanced.

Research limitations/implications
This paper affirms Verhoef’s demand for Ubuntu, Ekpe, Igbo apprenticeship system to be more rigorously developed and theoretically coherent and urges scholars to intensify effort towards advancing the conceptual and empirical foundations of African management. Echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless counsel, this paper calls on critics of African management to join the effort to bring about the change they wish to see in African management theorising.

Social implications
This paper disavows the alleged effort to impose a single “African management” model or perpetuate the “colonial/indigenous” binary divide but equally cautions against an effort to veto scholarly striving for a common identity, to learn from history or not embrace collective amnesia. As examples from the USA and Europe show, diversity, even heterogeneity, needs not to preclude the forging of a commonly shared identity complemented with appropriate sub-identities.

Originality/value
This paper links the African management-centred themes addressed by Verhoef to the wider debate among management scholars about lessening the dominance of universal theories and allowing space for context-resonant indigenous theories. It calls on African management scholars to invest the premium and intensified effort towards building a more robust and coherent body of indigenous theory that will have the capacity and efficacy to inform, explain and advance organisational practice and outcomes across Africa.

KeywordsAfrican management; Indigenous theories; Context; Ubuntu; Ekpe; Igbo; Africapitalism
Year2022
JournalJournal of Management History
Journal citation28 (2), pp. 187-198
PublisherEmerald
ISSN1751-1348
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-11-2021-0061
Web address (URL)https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jmh-11-2021-0061/full/html?casa_token=GaMwaG_7yAoAAAAA:1g5A9NOV9VlewhSXNNk3GDBHmTz5PkMK87t8cb7pvJ6QvIfy7AmVCXSfvG61Y4nBM3mcHNA3Evlx7lb2yuMap9_5QhnPInHnFcnvbqaPPQKXBvnQFQ
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Open
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Restricted
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online11 Jan 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted05 Dec 2021
Deposited27 Jul 2023
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Accepted author manuscript
African Management scholarship Accepted Version.pdf
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
File access level: Open

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