African business leadership: Perspectives from aspiring young leaders

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matete Lerutla ◽  
Renier Steyn

Orientation: Although a lot is written about leadership in Africa, little empirical research has been conducted and published in prominent academic journals, which comprehensively and specifically define the concept of African business leadership.Research purpose: The goal of the research study was to define the African business leadership comprehensively, tapping into the views of young leaders and making a contribution to the discourse and literature on leadership in Africa.Motivation for the study: Whilst business leadership practices are deemed to be universal by some, others argue that the matter is geographically specific. The latter view is supported by those interested in decolonisation and Africanisation. Although politically inspired and philosophically embedded definitions of African leadership are readily available, definitions stemming from empirical processes seem to be absent.Research approach, design and method: This research focuses on the sub-Saharan region, which accounts for the greater part of the African continent. A total of 121 adult students, representing 14 sub-Saharan countries, participated in this study. The participants were part of the Young African Leaders Initiative, a leadership development programme facilitated by the University of South Africa. A cross sectional survey design was used, as part of which open-ended questions were posed to the young leaders. Summative content analysis (Cohort 1) was uses to identify elements central to African leadership, and directed content analysis was then framed based on inter-relational plots, which include all these identified themes.Method: A cross-sectional survey design was used, as part of which open-ended questions were posed to the young leaders. Summative content analysis (Cohort 1) was used to identify elements central to African business leadership, and directed content analysis (Cohort 2) was applied to verify the themes. A definition of African business leadership was then framed based on inter-relational plots, which include all these identified themes.Main findings: Eight elements typical of African business leadership were identified and, following an analysis of inter-relational plots, a definition incorporating the participants’ inputs was crafted. African business leadership is seen as unique to leaders on the continent (Afrocentric), as an act of service to the community (Ubuntu), operating in challenging and resource-deprived environments (because of the legacy of colonialism) and providing hope for creating a better future. African business leadership is further seen as being dominated by those in positions of (political) authority, who engage in entrepreneurial activities, and yet as still requiring development because many leaders are corrupt (brokenness), which seems to be legitimised by post-colonial sentiments (Afro-centric).Contribution: The research study presents a multidimensional perspective on defining African business leadership, reiterating the admirable community orientation, but also the skill gaps, and therefore, the need for improvement.Practical Implications: The definition crafted from the research study provides a compelling conceptualisation of a phenomenon that is often described from only a philosophical or political perspective. This empirical research study contributes to the leadership debate by providing a multidimensional and comprehensive definition of African business leadership, incorporating both the positive and negative elements.

2020 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00419
Author(s):  
Sam Brondfield ◽  
Naike Bochatay ◽  
Cynthia Perlis

PURPOSE: Art therapy (AT) improves quality of life and symptoms in patients with cancer. However, previous studies that have demonstrated these effects focused on time-limited interventions. The benefits of longer-term AT interventions for patients with cancer remain unexplored. We aimed to delineate the benefits of one such intervention for patients with cancer. METHODS: The Art for Recovery open art studio (OAS) is a weekly experience that provides patients the opportunity to express themselves through art and discussion. In April 2019, we sent a cross-sectional survey with closed- and open-ended components to all patients attending the OAS. We analyzed the closed-ended results using descriptive statistics and the open-ended results using directed content analysis through the theoretical framework of community-based development (CBD). RESULTS: The response rate was 82% (18 of 22 patients). The median duration of OAS attendance was 2 years, and the median frequency of attendance was three times per month. All respondents found the OAS very helpful, and 17 (94%) of 18 believed that the friendships they had made were very valuable. Directed content analysis revealed three themes: togetherness, active engagement, and familiar surroundings. These themes and our closed-ended results aligned well with the CBD framework. CONCLUSION: Longer-term AT experiences may provide benefits, such as community development, that briefer interventions lack. Medical centers should consider providing longer-term AT experiences for patients with cancer to give them access to these benefits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-71
Author(s):  
Lok Raj Sharma

This research article attempts to evaluate B.Ed. first year students’ major motives for learning English A cross-sectional survey design was adopted to accomplish the research study. The twelve questions as a data collection tool were administered to the students across three campuses of Makawanpur District, Nepal in the Academic Year 2019-2020. The study showed that a large number of the students learnt English to have good job opportunities in the country, whereas the smallest number of students  learnt it to be tourist guides. The chi-square tests showed that there was statistically significant association between sex and the motives for learning it, whereas there was no statistically significant association between campuses and motives for learning it. The findings of the research study indicated that students learnt English for fulfilling differing purposes in their life. Their attitude towards learning English was found to be dissimilar.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-619
Author(s):  
Ali Rehman ◽  
Fathyah Hashim

Purpose This study aims to intend toward the measurement of corporate governance to identify its maturity levels within Omani public listed companies and also propose to identify whether corporate governance maturity (CGM) levels vary significantly between sectors or not. CGM is an innovation in the field of corporate governance, which assists organizations in achieving their objectives and satisfying shareholders. Design/methodology/approach This study used descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data are collected by the internet-based tool and analyzed via SPSS. Findings This study found that corporate governance is measurable and can be measured to the levels of maturity. Moreover, this study identified that CGM does not differ among different sectors. From a total of 107 organizations, none of the organizations falls under the forming level and mature level. However, majority of organizations falls under normalized level followed by developing and established levels of maturity. Practical implications This study integrates significant empirical research and literature to broaden the potentials of CGM. This study provides a framework along with a calculation tool, which can be used by organizations, regulators and policymakers. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the maturity levels of Omani organizations are never being measured before. Moreover, past studies demonstrate single constituent relationship with CGM and not all four. Therefore, this study is distinctive from others by testing all four major components or constituents toward CGM.


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 100-108
Author(s):  
Damini Saini

In this article, an attempt is made to explore if the knowledge performance (KP) mediates the commitment of the employees and perceived productivity of the firm in the Indian context. This research study employed a quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey design to seek the correlation among the organizational commitment (OC), KP and productivity of the employees. A non-probability convenience sample was obtained from this population group and was based on accessibility. The following research study examined whether KP mediates the relationship between OC and productivity. Generalization of this study’s results to circumstances in other countries may not be possible because the target population was employees in Indian corporations. The study can be helpful in addressing the gap of empirical analysis in relation with KP and job-related outputs in managerial context in the Indian service sector corporations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musa Mbago ◽  
Joseph M. Ntayi ◽  
Moses Muhwezi

The purpose of the study is to develop and test an integrated compliance model using constructs derived from the legitimacy, deterrence, institutional and stewardship theories. A Cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from a sample of 97 out of the population of 129 Procuring and Disposing Entities which are regulated by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority Act (PPDA). Measurement items were derived from a critical review of literature and found to be both valid and reliable with Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.7. The findings reveal that legitimacy and stewardship behavior are significant predictors of compliance to the PPDA Act, Rules and Regulations. We therefore recommend that Procuring and Disposing Entities should continue legitimizing the procurement law through involvement of all stakeholders and promote stewardship behaviors among public employees.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Alfred Eboh

Background: The hawking of wares by children has been a serious issue confronting the Nigerian society. Children hawk in some of the most horrible conditions conceivable, where they face a serious risk of injury, chronic illness, kidnapping, rape or death. Objective: The focus of this study was to assess the perceived effects of street hawking on the well-being of children in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Methods: The population of this study consists of parents of the street hawkers in Anyigba while cross-sectional survey design was used through the purposive sampling technique to choose the sample size of one hundred and sixty-two (162) respondents. The validated structured questionnaire and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) served as the instruments for the data collection respectively. The hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square at a predetermined 0.05 level of significance. The quantitative data were analysed with the aid of the SPSS (version 20). Results: The results indicated among others that street hawking had significant social implications and physical consequences on children's moral behaviour as well as health status in the study area. Conclusion: The study, therefore, concluded that the government of Kogi State should carry out an enlightenment campaign through the media and religious institutions on the negative consequences of street hawking are recommended as panacea. Also, the child right act instrument and its implementation should be strengthened in order to curb street hawking in the study area.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalowar Hossan

The purpose of this article is to examine the influence of corporate social responsibility practices of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL), Bangladesh and to know the client’s knowledge, feedback, awareness and eagerness towards the CSR activities while choosing a bank. This study also investigates the level of present and expected CSR contribution of this bank. A cross- sectional survey design was used for the study featuring a self administered questionnaire and data were collected from 100 clients at South Surma branch. Data were analyzed using SPSS and the findings revealed that CSR activities played an important role for clients to choose a bank. Most of the clients were aware of CSR program and they had positive reaction to CSR practices of DBBL. Clients also suggested to expand CSR practices and they were willing to contribute for social activities financially. The results show the policy implications for business community, citizen, customers, investors, managers and other stakeholders.


Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie ◽  
Samuel Kofi Odame

AbstractSuicidal ideation is a critical risk for attempted suicide and eventual suicide. Little is known about suicidal ideation among rural adolescents in most sub-Saharan African countries. We aimed to estimate the 12-month prevalence of suicidal ideation and to describe some of the common and gender-specific associated factors among in-school adolescents in rural Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving a random sample of 1101 in-school adolescents aged 10–19 years in a rural district in Eastern Ghana. The Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire-Revised was used to assess suicidal ideation. Overall, 25.1% participants (95% CI = 22.5–27.7), representing 28.3% females (95% CI = 24.7–32.2) and 21.5% males (95% CI = 18.0–25.2) reported suicidal ideation during the previous 12 months. Females who experienced personal and interpersonal adversities mainly outside the family context were likely to report suicidal ideation, while suicidal ideation among males was associated with conflict with parents. Regardless of gender, adolescents who reported exposure to a friend’s attempted suicide were about two times more likely to report suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among adolescents in rural Ghana compares with in-school estimates from other countries within sub-Saharan Africa, but also underscores the need for targeted and universal prevention programmes and intervention efforts to mitigate the potential transition from suicidal ideations to suicidal attempts and eventual deaths by suicide among rural adolescents.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Colin J. McMahon ◽  
Justin T. Tretter ◽  
Theresa Faulkner ◽  
R. Krishna Kumar ◽  
Andrew N. Redington ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the impact of the Webinar on deep human learning of CHD. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey design study used an open and closed-ended questionnaire to assess the impact of the Webinar on deep learning of topical areas within the management of the post-operative tetralogy of Fallot patients. This was a quantitative research methodology using descriptive statistical analyses with a sequential explanatory design. Results: One thousand-three-hundred and seventy-four participants from 100 countries on 6 continents joined the Webinar, 557 (40%) of whom completed the questionnaire. Over 70% of participants reported that they “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the Webinar format promoted deep learning for each of the topics compared to other standard learning methods (textbook and journal learning). Two-thirds expressed a preference for attending a Webinar rather than an international conference. Over 80% of participants highlighted significant barriers to attending conferences including cost (79%), distance to travel (49%), time commitment (51%), and family commitments (35%). Strengths of the Webinar included expertise, concise high-quality presentations often discussing contentious issues, and the platform quality. The main weakness was a limited time for questions. Just over 53% expressed a concern for the carbon footprint involved in attending conferences and preferred to attend a Webinar. Conclusion: E-learning Webinars represent a disruptive innovation, which promotes deep learning, greater multidisciplinary participation, and greater attendee satisfaction with fewer barriers to participation. Although Webinars will never fully replace conferences, a hybrid approach may reduce the need for conferencing, reduce carbon footprint. and promote a “sustainable academia”.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002110007
Author(s):  
Caitlin K. Cameron ◽  
Ahmad A. Alamer ◽  
Eliane Fossati ◽  
Gamal Raslan ◽  
Tiffany Nguyen ◽  
...  

Background: The pharmacy profession has experienced dramatic shifts in scopes of practice, services offered, and employment opportunities over the last couple decades. At the same time, the number of students graduating from pharmacy school each year has steadily increased. The combined effect of these factors is a tightening labor market. Identification of potential knowledge and skill deficits in the applicant pool will create opportunity for pharmacists to tailor their personal development and educators to design content to address contemporary needs. Objective: To determine if the current pharmacist pool meets employment needs in Arizona with respect to specific skills and knowledge. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey design, Arizona licensed pharmacists were asked to provide their perspective of the knowledge and skills of candidates for pharmacist positions within 8 skill & knowledge domains. Descriptive statistics were used for respondents’ characteristics. A multivariate logistic regression was used for association between respondent characteristics and responses. Free responses were assessed using a qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Among 685 respondents, 88% were employed, 48% had precepting experience, and 44% were involved with hiring. The majority were from chain community pharmacies (33%) and inpatient settings (22%). Management and conflict resolution skills were reported as lacking by 35% and 28% of respondents respectively; 24% reported insufficient compounding knowledge. Conclusion: Our findings suggest knowledge deficits in management, conflict resolution, and compounding. This information can be used for career planning and for educational program development or curricular enhancements. Similar studies in other regions will provide data on national needs.


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