Management Theory, Research and Practice for Sustainable Development in Africa: A Commentary from a Practitioner's Perspective

Abstract

In this article we give a synthesis of the argument that inadequate management theory and practice have contributed to Africa's lack of sustainable development. The article is based on a keynote address by the Governor of the Bank of Botswana, Ms Linah Mohohlo to the biannual conference of the Africa Academy of Management in Gaborone, January 2014. The governor, based on rich insights of a practitioner was content that scholars, practitioners, and policymakers have not done enough to integrate theory and practice to initiate models relevant for African sustainable development. We therefore call upon African scholars, managers, and experts to take the challenge of identifying common cultural practices which could be integrated into modern management models for African sustainable development.

Keywords:

• Africa
• African sustainable development
• Botswana
• central bank
• governor
• management
• management theory
• management practice
• Africa Academy of Management

NOTES ON CONTRIBUTORS

Vincent Bagire is a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Administration at Makerere University Business School. His research interests are in strategy and general management. He has embarked on a project to explore and answer the question, what do managers do, using management practitioners in Ugandan organizations.

Juliana Namada is an assistant professor of strategic management at the United States International University – Africa, School of Business in Kenya. Her research interests are in strategic planning in industrial firms and general management.