A cross-cultural management system: The Ubuntu Company as paradigm. (9th August 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kroesen, Otto; Rozendaal, Arnoud
• Is Part Of: International journal of technology, policy and management. Volume 10:Number 3(2010)
• Page Start: 284
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2010-08-09
• Subjects: cross-cultural management -- company models -- partnership -- leadership -- entrepreneurship -- Africa -- culture -- cultural differences -- corporate social responsibility -- CSR -- African collectivism -- disciplined labour -- time management -- individual initiative -- individual judgement; Technological innovations -- Management -- Periodicals; Technology and state -- Periodicals; 658.51405
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-4322

Abstract

Although entrepreneurship is generally considered to be a promising solution for development in Africa, not yet much scientific work is available on the question, how to take the African cultural context in due consideration. A western-style business plan cannot just like that be transferred to the African context. Cultural differences should be taken into account and, moreover, a bridge needs to be built between different value sets. The management model of The Ubuntu Company explicitly takes into account cultural differences and deals with them in a creative way, resulting in a socially responsible business, which is at the same time competitive on the international market. In this management model, African collectivism is taken seriously but counterbalanced by individual initiative and judgement; western style disciplined labour and time management is introduced, but counterbalanced by attention for individual problems and, not the least important, servant leadership of the managers.