A cross-cultural management system: The Ubuntu Company as paradigm Online publication date: Fri, 06-Aug-2010
by Otto Kroesen, Arnoud Rozendaal
International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management (IJTPM), Vol. 10, No. 3, 2010
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.
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