Article

 

Leading a postmodern African organisation: Towards a model of prospective commitment (p.75-92)

by

Uzoechi Nwagbara, University of Wales, UK

Keywords : African management, Organisational leadership, Postmodernism, Prospective commitment

JEL classification : O55

Abstract

Africa’s adoption of Western management and leadership practices has impacted adversely on her capacity to develop in the global marketplace. As this paper shall argue, an African oriented management and leadership paradigms couched in postmodernism will facilitate her efforts towards continental bliss. Postmodernism is a reaction against modernity that universalises Western (organisational) models by asserting one-dimensional approach to apprehending reality. Leading a postmodernist African organisation entails a deconstruction of Western schema through opening up multiplicities. The envisioned new African organisational model is one of these multiplicities. Also, Africa’s (organisational) leadership in post-modern era is a correlate of prospective commitment. Prospective commitment translates into envisioning future progress of African business as well as re-imagining African-centred organisational models for competitive edge. This is crucial for Africa to rediscover its cultural identity. This is also critical for transcending the trammels of Western oriented management methods by evolving Africa’s indigenous management practices that are couched in Ubuntu, a collectivist leadership model premised on shared vision and experience. This is important for Africa’s renaissance as well as a useful management tool for circumventing imperialist hangover and impositions, which are standing in the way of her organisational growth and development.