Essentials of Business and Management in Africa – serie

This concise overview of the practice and processes of management in the African context is the first of its kind, and the introductory volume in the new Essentials of Business and Management in Africa short-form textbook series. This book covers the activities that all managers undertake regardless of their functional specialization and is organised around a model of management that consists of planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling. After introducing each topic, the authors discuss particular characteristics of Africa and African countries and how these influence the topic being covered; for example, relative levels of poverty, prevalence of small and informal businesses and the inadequacy of infrastructure will influence aspects of planning and decision-making, and motivation. Each chapter includes illustrative real-life examples and experiential exercises/short cases. The book begins with a general overview of the African continent and ends with discussions of ethical issues and corporate social responsibility including the management philosophy of Ubuntu.Undergraduate and postgraduate students in Africa and other parts of the world with an interest in the area will appreciate the focus on a region so little discussed in the business and management literature. Due to this dearth of material, this book will also appeal to current and future practicing managers in African countries.

This concise overview of the theories and practice of leadership in the African context is the first of its kind. Essentials of Leadership in Africa introduces leadership as an art and science to inspire confidence and support among the people who need to achieve common organisational goals. We present a framework of leadership which emphasises the role of the African context in better understanding leadership effectiveness. According to our model, leadership in Africa can be understood by focusing on the leader’s skills, motives, and behaviours; the leader’s role in developing teamwork and team leadership; and the organisational context. It is important to understand that leadership does not occur in a vacuum. Each chapter includes illustrative real-life examples, experiential exercises, short cases, and/or assessments.The book appeals to undergraduate and graduate students in Africa and/or other parts of the world who are interested in leadership on the African continent. In addition, managers, trainers, and practitioners can benefit from reading Essentials of Leadership in Africa.

A concise textbook focusing on organisational behaviour in the African context, this book is featured in Routledge’s new Essentials of Business and Management in Africa shortform textbook series.This book covers organisational behaviour concepts applicable to the African continent and its varied cultures. Chapters thoroughly explore topics including personal and individual factors, motivation, decision making and communication, groups and teams, leadership and influence, conflict, and negotiation. Each chapter refers to aspects of the African context such as cultural values, Ubuntu, and the informal economy and relates these to the topics discussed. The book includes illustrative real-life examples, vignettes, mini-cases and exercises. Undergraduate and postgraduate students in Africa, and with an interest in the area, will appreciate the focus on a region so little discussed in the business and management literature.Filling a gap in the literature and including a dearth of material, this book will also appeal to current and future practicing managers in African countries, as well as those employed in government and by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

A concise textbook focusing on organisational behaviour in the African context, this book is featured in Routledge’s new Essentials of Business and Management in Africa shortform textbook series.This book covers organisational behaviour concepts applicable to the African continent and its varied cultures. Chapters thoroughly explore topics including personal and individual factors, motivation, decision making and communication, groups and teams, leadership and influence, conflict, and negotiation. Each chapter refers to aspects of the African context such as cultural values, Ubuntu, and the informal economy and relates these to the topics discussed. The book includes illustrative real-life examples, vignettes, mini-cases and exercises. Undergraduate and postgraduate students in Africa, and with an interest in the area, will appreciate the focus on a region so little discussed in the business and management literature.Filling a gap in the literature and including a dearth of material, this book will also appeal to current and future practicing managers in African countries, as well as those employed in government and by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).