It will take a global village to find cures for global pandemics: the Ubuntu perspective

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges involved in developing solidarity during pandemics. We draw from the field of economics, social psychology, political psychology and organisational theory to understand and explain how decision-makers and actors think and behave during pandemics. We argue that the rational action theory (RAT) and identity politics are the ‘rationalities’ that underpin global efforts used to establish solidarity. We see these mindsets as obstacles to addressing pandemics, which show no respect for geographical or genealogical borders. As an alternative, we explore how African philosophy of Ubuntu can offer another rationality in developing solidarity during pandemics. We propose an analytical tool to assess how nation-states might react when called to display solidarity during pandemics and how the international community can bring them on board.

Keywords:

• Pandemic
• global solidarity
• cooperation
• Ubuntu
• rational action
• identity politics
• social psychology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2023.2207881).

Additional information

Funding

This paper has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 823744.

Notes on contributors

Aminu Mamman

Aminu Mamman is a Professor of Management and International Development at the University of Manchester, Global Development Institute, United Kingdom. His research interests include the application of African value systems to understand management challenges; human capital and business practices and policy in developing and emerging economies. Other research interest includes the transfer of management theories and innovations and practices across contexts. He has published in reputable journals such as British Journal of Management, International Business Review, World Development, Journal of International Management, and Human Resource Management Review.

Motolani Agbebi

Motolani Peltola is a university lecturer at the faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Finland. She holds a doctoral degree in Administrative sciences from Tampere University, Finland. Her primary areas of research interest are in the areas of Sino-Africa relations, China’s Digital Silk Road and its implications for Africa’s technological future, ESG impacts of Chinese telecom Infrastructure provision in Africa, and human capital development in Africa. Motolani has published in these research areas in international peer reviewed journals including Forum for Development Studies, Journal of Business Research, African and Asian Studies and Human Resource Development International.

Mohamed Branine

Mohamed Branine is Professor of International Human Resource Management and Dean of School of Business, Law and Social Sciences at Abertay University, Dundee, UK. He is also Academic Fellow of the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development (AFCIPD) and Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). He has published more than 70 papers and refereed journal articles, covering the practical challenges of managing across cultures, the impact of religion on managing resources, talent management and organizational change, leadership and culture, and employee response to change in times of crisis. He is the author of Managing Across Cultures: Concepts, Policies and Practices (2011) published by Sage.