Ubuntu And Its Influence On Leadership Commerce Essay

Ubuntu And Its Influence On leading Commerce EssayThis look go awaying accentes on how Ubuntu open fire exhaust back and be applied to attractors dodge fore plan and implementation in the hospitality labor of S step to the foreh Africa. It is therefore alpha in this enquiry to agnise the differences in the midst of leadership and worry in order to deport a get understanding on the entice of Ubuntu in the hospitality industry of S issueh Africa.Adair (2006) explains that leadership is of the spirit compounded of mortalality and ken and he illustrates that com send packingion as a trend of the mind more than of an accurate manners, calculation and r knocked out(p)ine. This is to say that leadership is the understanding and sharing of a common purpose without which there shadow be no hard-hitting leadership. Adair believes that counselling is to manage change and leadership is to manage suppuration. In this seek musical theme it provide be establishe d if the Ubuntu dah of leadership and guidance mess bring nigh every dodging in way and nurturing of growth inwardly an validation in the hospitality industry.1.1 PURPOSE OF THE invent outThe main purpose of this research study is to realise the influence and determine the imp comport of Ubuntu in leadership in system management and implementation. Beca substance abuse the demeanor of Ubuntu leadership and management involves the leading of an organisation by departing from the hierarchicall(a)y organize management relations and rather introduces a cooperative and pledgeive embodiment of leadership in which corporate solidarity of the convocation is employed and finded (Prinsloo 1998).1.2 place cropting OF THE STUDYThe principle of populateledge indoors the fields of management, strategy and leadership theories and class period has been developed and espouse mainly from the Hesperian capitalist principles, with leading hypothesizeers in the field being mai nly of European or American dissent. These thoughts swallow then been exported beyond American or horse opera boundaries as trade has moved from being multinational, through international to global, and practices such as international outsourcing have become more widespread. While some argonas of Asia, loosely India, may be both responsive and adaptive to some of these Western practices, other parts of Asia and Africa as a whole atomic number 18 not so. This paper offers stage mountainual understanding of how the Concept of Ubuntu or Ubuntu leadership can be able to influence on strategy management and implementation in an arrangement with a case study of the cordial reception industry.The Western homophileness has mostly underpinned and still continues on supplying leadership, implementation and strategical management ideas this is through the political systems, and economic infrastructures to Africa, since the m of the colonial times to present. though seemingly wi th honourable intentions, these Western theories that are continuously being employ in organizations ( personal credit line) in Africa have not achieved their desired outcomes because many Africans find it sticky to relate to them, having to sacrifice their authenticity in order to abounding embrace such Western ideals. Thus the need to find out if Ubuntu kind of leadership and management can serve the purpose of autochthonous Africa to fully embrace it.This now places an interest for the need to understand the Ubuntu context as well as the autochthonal thought system and, in particular, the perspective of the Ubuntu get toer.1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENTThe hierarchical organizational structure in every moving in structure leave alone alship canal reflect the organised coordination which ensures that the goals and objectives of the said entity are is achieved. The aim of this proposal is to investigate the Ubuntu leadership style used in the Hospitality industry. It is very card inal to find out if Ubuntu style has a great influence in good leadership, strategy management and implementation. It is also of great importance to disc everywhere if this kind of leadership style can achieve both the institutional and the single(a)s objectives and goals. The other important reason for this investigation is to find out whether or not the leaders and managers in these institutions are motivated to improve their work-place. every last(predicate) these issues will be investigated through upshoting the following questions1.3.1 MAIN PROBLEMThe objective of this research paper is to determine the degree to which Ubuntu leadership style can influence the strategy management and implementation in a hospitality industry of siemens Africa.How does the Ubuntu leadership style usurpation on the outcome of the strategy management and implementation process in a Hospitality organization?1.3.2 SUB-PROBLEMSBelow are the sub- riddles which have been i dentified to be ideal wit h the main problem and gain insight into the habit that Ubuntu leadership plays in the strategy management and implementation process.Does the research literature reveal the founding of any evidential of Ubuntu leadership style to be more beneficial and important in terms of strategy management and implementation in southeast African Companies?Does the research literature reveal the existence of a significant relationship among Ubuntu style and strategy management in southernmost African industries?1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDYThe aim is to discover how Ubuntu leadership can influence strategy management and implementation in an organisation. Thompson, Strickland and Gamble (2005 32 34) states that crafting a strategy, no matter how complex a undertaking is intimately easier than successfully implementing one. Strategy formulation is primarily an intellectual and creative act involving analysis and synthesis. Implementation is a hands-on, operations and action orientated body process that calls for leadership and managerial skills. in that locationfore Ubuntu leadership style often entails a change in corporate de vestation and therefore frequently requires a focus on effecting strategic change.Implementation is historically a top-management business closing strategic cap world power gaps and making sure a caller keep backs strategic focus. Strategy formulation and implementation are linked through learning (de Kluyver and Pearce, 2003 125-126). Grant (2002 526) mentions, New organizational structures and strategic priorities point to pertly models of leadership.. So the question is can Ubuntu style stand to the task to play the role of top management by communicating efficaciously and formation of new strategies?It is said that good leadership in todays organizations calls for actively involving everyone in the organization, leaders are still ultimately responsible for establishing get offion through vision and strategy (Daft. 2005 535). Th us the concept of Ubuntu can surely apply.The results of this research will be analysed to place emphasis on the crew of leadership styles required by a transformational and transactional leader during the strategic grooming process.1.5 DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDYThe research might face the difficulty of determining when the categories are saturated or when the theory is sufficiently detailed (Creswell, 1998 58). The grounded theory has been sarcastic for its failure to acknowledge implicit theories which guide work at an ahead of time stage.The limitation of this theory will be taken into consideration end-to-end the research and data analysis because there has never been any method in social science without being criticised. Every possible out come will be taken to ensure the rigid complaisance to the principles.1.6 translation OF TERMS1.6.1 UBUNTUThe doctrine of Ubuntu has been used in almost all the parts of Africa. This culture has been of Doctrine has been most used and applied in South Africa. Most Academic commentators have pointed out the philosophical caprice classification know as Ubuntu, which symbolises the beliefs, set, and behaviours of a large majority of the South African population.Ubuntu is define by Mangaliso (2001) as humanenessa permeative spirit of sympathize with and conjunction, harmony and hospitality, respect and responsivenessthat individuals and multitudes display for one another(prenominal). Ubuntu is the foundation for the s smasherle fiber values that manifest themselves in the ways African hatful think and suffer towards distributively other and everyone else they encounter (Mangaliso, 200124). Ubuntu has been viewed to be one of the most vituperative values in the African culture as a whole, and it is believed that this practice on the basis of management can be harmonious with the peoples of Africa. however the question still needs to answered is can Ubuntu can it compete and be of any expediency comprehe nsively (Mbigi, 2005 Mangaliso, 2001).1.6.2 leadershipLeadership has been well define by Gray (2004) that it is managing the behaveance of others in any organised set up (Gray, 2004 76). Conceivably the commonest constituent of definitions found in the literature concerns physical exertion influence in one way or another. This is quite take in since it implies that the exercisers of power should be able to have some ideas of their own about what they want to achieve, or what they want other individuals to do. In other words, they have vision, and are proactive in trying to turn that vision into truthfulness by involving other people.1.6.3 STRATEGIC leadingStrategic leadership is defined by Daft (2008) as follows The ability to anticipate and envision the future, maintain flexibility, think strategically and initiate changes that will create a competitive advantage for the organization in the future (Daft, 2008 511). The other definition of strategic Leadership is of Dubrin ( 2004) which provides a clearer picture of the concept of strategic leadership. This definition of Dubrin helps to understand the necessity and effectiveness of carrying out strategic management. He defines it as a Strategic management refers to the process of ensuring a competitive fit between the organization and its purlieu (Dubrin, 2004 401).1.6.4 MANAGEMENTManaging culture is another element of leadership. It is the entrepreneurial leaders role to shape the organizational culture by setting example, the norms, standards and defining the values of the organization. Rossouw, Le Roux and Groenewald (2003 167) state that managers often find it difficult to think that there could be a relationship between an organizations culture and its strategy.1.7 ASSUMPTIONSIt is assumed that for this study, the respondents of the questionnaires will answer all questions as openly and verity as possible. The respondents will answer the questionnaires on their own and that, the questionnaires wi ll not be completed in bases or influenced by other people or respondents. The respondents will answer the questionnaire in one sitting. All employees are ready and willing to be a part of the project work. All respondents will have technical and operational experience in their area of work. The results from this study which is focused on a particular sector (Hospitality industry) can be used in other organisation with the same elan of Ubuntu leadership in strategy management and implementation.2 LITERATURE check over2.1 INTRODUCTIONThe evolution and progression of natural management theories and practices in Africa has been naughtily affected and hindered by colonialism. The imposing of colonial administration was introduced by the westerly countries, and their management theories and practices are considered as the engine and the universal remedy for the continents socio-politico-economic development. The Western education, scholarship and prose generally diminished and deno unced the astonishing management competency and practices of archaeozoic African civilizations this is evidenced, for example, in the building of the great Egyptian pyramids. It is assumed that these so called foreign management systems generally failed to achieve the desired results as they discountenanced African cultural inertia and social milieu. The paper addresses the development and effective if Ubuntu leadership style in Strategy management and implementation. Ubuntu leadership is an African management philosophy, which is rooted in the African cultures, value system and beliefs, to provide the mulish way for the efficient and effective running of organizations in Africa, with the aim of having a global competitiveness. The Ubuntu leadership style or the new management techniques known by different scholars, puts such(prenominal) of its emphasis on humanness, communalism and African patriotism, and it provides the real starting point for the development of indigenous Afr ican management philosophy.2.2 DEFINITION OF UBUNTUA number of African researchers today have embarked on the advocacy for the indigenous African management philosophy that would serve the need of the African continent. In South Africa today, there is an emergency of a philosophical thought system derived from African culture, beliefs, and values and behaviours known as Ubuntu, (Ubuntu is a Bantu word importation, broadly, sharing and community). Mangaliso (2001) defines Ubuntu as humaneness a pervasive spirit of care and community, harmony and hospitality, respect and responsiveness that individuals and groups display for one another. Ubuntu is the foundation for the basic values that manifest themselves in the ways African people think and behave towards each other and everyone else they encounter( Mangaliso, 2001 24). According to Poovan, du Toit and Engelbrecht (2006) Ubuntu philosophy permits administrators, leaders and managers to tap into the familiar African values to b uild and reinforce their work surround effectively byTeaming up and organizing resources for survival this maintains productiveness and effectiveness which deep depends on shared values and individual contribution it encourages focus on communal (and differences) with reliance to minimize threat to survival through meshcreating of unified situations the spirit of solidarity, that is, mutual regard among members and individual adhesion to the group create situations defined by group behaviours sit together, focus, on each other, co-ordinate behaviourit enhances social oneness and participation sets up slack opportunities establish on handed-down pal abre central village billet for gatherings, activities, mediation, lasts, events and rituals.Thus Ubuntu is considered to be an important value of African culture that can form the foundation of African management (Ubuntu leadership) philosophy that is in gentle wind with the peoples of Africa. Though the proponent of Ubuntu l eadership have argued that the concept was created as a system of management practice, for competitive advantage and to command a universal appeal beyond the shores of the continent (Mbigi, 2005 Mangaliso, 2001). Mangaliso (2001) suggests that Incorporating Ubuntu principles in management hold the presage of superior mountes to managing organizations. Organizations infused with humanness, a pervasive spirit of caring and community, harmony and hospitality, respect and responsiveness will enjoy more sustainable competitive advantage (Mangaliso 2001 32). consequently, Ubuntu leadership system emphasizes on police squadwork, attention to relationships, mutual respect and empathy between leader and followers, and participative decision-making. These are very thorough principles of management, which hold promise for improving organization activities and surgery in South Africa and Africa at large.2.3 INFLUNCES OF UBUNTU LEADERSHIP IN MANAGEMENT2.3.1 UBUNTU LEADERSHIPThe distinctive feature about Ubuntu governance is an indigenous democracy with very deep African cultures that had emerged from African traditional institutions and practices. The hallmark of African traditional governance is the focus on collective stewardship (collectivism), license of expression, grass-roots participation, consultation, discussion and consensus to accommodate nonage needs and views (holism). The emphasis was not meet on majority views but also on compromise and accommodation. The focus was on the need to reach an acceptable consensus through discussions to accommodate minority groups and views in order to avoid majority group dictatorship. This was essential because the traditional African political institution was characterized by the cultural diversity of tribes and clans, which did not disappear as a result of majority rule (Mbigi, 199722).This autocratic leadership style expects subordinates to be submissive and obedient. Because leadership in late Africa is authoritar ian and politicized (Kiggundu, 1988226 Jaeger Kanunzo, 1990 17 Blunt Jones, 1992 6-23), such autocratic leadership styles, by expecting subordinates to be submissive and obedient, may stifle innovativeness and impede community pauperization and Ubuntu.2.3.2 MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATIONFor every industry especially in the Hospitality business, leadership basically deals with the human relations where problem solving, communication and decision making are promoted and cultivated. Leithwood and Mcleah (1987) indicate that highly effective leaders know many forms of decision-making are skilled in their use and are situationally subtle in their selection of a particular approach to decision-making (Leithwood and Mcleah, 198735). They are olibanum very analytical and rational in the way they perceive and perform their functions. Basson and Smith (1991) allude to the detail that effective leaders can be selected or trained. It is also useful to think of leadership as a generic term which refers to the process characterized by the interrelationships among people as they work together in the formation and achievement of shared goals (Basson and Smith, 1991148). Hallinger et al. (19899) claim that leadership in an industrial worldview influences people by developing a clear mission that provides an instructional focus for people throughout the community. Leadership does not reside exclusively with the chief or president in fact Weber (1989217) identifies the need to develop shared leadership in the community (Weber, 1989217). One of the current slopes in thinking regarding leadership is a shift from an instructional to a transformational leadership. Brandt (19923) declared that because of change and democracy instructional leadership is out transformational leadership is in. Such leadership is leadership for change (Brandt, 19923). other important aspect in hospitality industrys leadership is the shared vision. There is the discipline for translating individual vision into shared vision. People should feel submit to express their dreams, but also learn how to listen to each others dream. The fundamental role of leadership in Ubuntu setup is to create connotative meaning through significant but important rituals and ceremonies. Mbigi (1997) highlights that in traditional African communities the ultimate test of leadership maturity in terms of instruct and development is determined by the ease with which a new leader carries out rituals and ceremonies (Mbigi, 199719). It is through well-designed rituals and ceremonies that leaders can effectively manage collective meaning and collective boldness. It is not just an intellectual journey. It is a typic and emotional as well as a spiritual journey. Therefore effective leadership in Ubuntu requires people to have convivial experiences by digging deep into their emotional and spiritual resources. This may be akin to the mission and vision in a Hospitality industry and an industrial worldview .The reek of Ubuntu leadership system is to enhance governance, collective solidarity, respect, human self- charge and the right to freedom of expression, as well as collective trust and compassion. Ubuntu is central to indigenous governance systems and can be central to new-made governance.2.3.3 CAN UBUNTU LEADERSHIP SYSTEM BE RELIED UPONThere are some(prenominal) basic management principles derived from African tribal communities that embody this philosophy, including trust, interdependence and spirituality (Mbigi Maree, 2005). In the African management system context, the African Ubuntu philosophy represents humanness, a pervasive spirit of caring within the community in which the individuals in the community love one another. This Ubuntu approach plays a diametrical role in determining the success of any African organisation (Mangaliso, 200132). Ubuntu transcends the abridge confines of the nuclear family to include the extended kinship network that is ubiquitous in many African communities. As a philosophy, Ubuntu is an orientation to heart that stands in contrast to rampant individualism, insensitive competitiveness, and unilateral decision-making. The Ubuntu teachings are pervasive at all ages, in families, organisations and communities living in Africa.****2.4 IMPACTS OF UBUNTU LEADERSHIP2.4.1 EXPERIENCES OF UBUNTU LEADERSHIPAfrocentricity encompasses African history, traditions, culture, mythology, and the value systems of communities, according to Khoza (in Mangaliso, 2001278-279), the Chairperson of Eskom, the supplier of electricity in South Africa. Khoza believes that corporations in Africa will be successful if they adopt the Ubuntu management and leadership styles, which are people-centred. It is perhaps telling that Eskom registered an later-tax profit of R5.2 billion over a period of 15 months up to the end of March 2005 after the corporation had adopted the Ubuntu management philosophy (Broodryk, 200517).Similarly, Wolmarans (19954) reports that South African Airways (SAA) adopted an Ubuntu management system in 1994. Since then, the African Ubuntu philosophy has been a unprompted force in the company. The secret behind its success has been the publicly express core values of South African Airways these include corporate performance, node orientation, employee care, corporate citizenship, integrity, safety, innovation and teamwork, which are all embodied in the Ubuntu management philosophy. Improved results demonstrate that culture and leadership style play pivotal roles towards the achievement of set goals and strategies of an organisation.Emerging African management philosophies see an organisation as a community and can be summed up in one word Ubuntu (Mbigi Maree, 2005v-vi). An African Ubuntu management system recognises the significance of group solidarity that is prevalent in African cultures, acknowledging that an African leadership style involves group and community supportiveness, sharing and coo peration. Ubuntu-based leadership dictates sharing burdens during hard times, because by doing so, twinge is also shared and diminished. What is distinctive about the Ubuntu philosophy is the premise of a short memory of hate (Mazrui, 2001). Africans teach children to communicate effectively, reconcile, and find ways to cleanse and let go of hatred and give the children skills to do so. The Ubuntu approach to life enables people to express continued compassion and Perseverance within communities and institutions.2.4.2 LESSONS FROM THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UBUNTU LEADERSHIPAfrican organisations can build cooperation and competitive strategies by allowing teamwork based on Ubuntu principles to permeate the organisation (Mbigi Maree, 200593). As a people-centred philosophy, Ubuntu stipulates that a persons worth depends on social, cultural and spiritual criteria. It requires a life that depends on a normative engagement with the community, a substantive appreciation of the common goo d and a constitutive engagement with one another in a rational and ethical community.In this way, in order for a person to be identified as a true African, community and communality are substantive prerequisites. Communalism and collectivism are essential to the spirit of the African Ubuntu philosophy. equally important in Ubuntu relationships is the aspect of working with others as a team (English, 2002197 Poovan et al., 200617). A spirit of solidarity simultaneously supports cooperation and competitiveness amongst the team by allowing individuals to alter their best efforts for the betterment of the entire group.In a team setting, the existence of Ubuntu as a shared value system implies that team members are encouraged to strive towards the outlined team values, which consequently enhance their functioning together as a team (Poovan et al.,200625 Van den Heuvel et al., 200648). The team is brought one step closer to being effective because of the change magnitude level of team members commitment, loyalty and satisfaction, which ultimately has a positive impact on overallperformance. Thus, management systems that tend to focus on achievements of individual team members and not the entire group are likely to miss out on all the social and collective framework of an African society.2.4.3 IS UBUNTU STLYE OF LEADERSHIP HAVE A PLACE IN MODERN logical argument OPERATIONIssues of corporate governance are becoming more pronounced in modern business practices. Corporate governance, which is intertwined with business ethical motive, is considered critical in organisational practice, as well as in general corporate productivity (Rossouw, 2005105). The founding principles of business ethics and corporate governance are in line with the Ubuntu philosophy of regarding all members of an organisation as part of the community. It is this direct involvement of and with community members that brings about greater solidarity, love, caring and sharing within a grouping (organ isation).A major governance challenge in current governance issues has been corruption, which reveals the moral depravity and badness of the perpetrators (Broodryk, 2005 Moloketi, 2009 Nyarwath, 2002). Generally, corruption is caused by a lack of commitment to moral beliefs by the perpetrators, which is in turn due to the Weak moral will of an individual towards other people. putridness can be seen as2.5 CONCLUSION OF LITERATURE REVIEW2.5.1 HOW unspoilt IS UBUNTU LEADERSHIPIn a Western worldview, the concept leadership accommodated the sense of belonging, as did the Ubuntu worldview. Sergiovanni (1982231) supports this when he says leadership promotes the feeling of actual belonging, participating, being co-partners in the entire organization. In all, a leader who has leadership skills sees to the rapid growth of the organization. Leadership skills are situationally specific, of short duration, and focused on specific objectives or outcomes.The Ubuntu philosophy represents an Afri can conception of human beings and their relationship with the community that embodies the ethics defining Africans and their social behaviours (Dia, 1992 Mbigi, 200575 Van den Heuvel, Mangaliso Van de Bunt, 200648). Africans are social beings that are in constant communion with one another in an environment where a human being is regarded as a human being only through his or her relationships to other human beings (Tutu in Battle, 199739-43). Therefore, the survival of a human being is dependent on other people the community and society.2.5.2 CAN UBUNTU LEADERSHIP AND WESTERN LEADERSHIP WORK TOGETHER? *****The Ubuntu management system and the new management techniques as advocated by African management scholars, set the revolutionary agenda for evolving an indigenous African management philosophy that will emphasize our cultural traits of humanness, communalism, and democratic decision-making in organizational life. African governments and the private sector must support the dev elopment of African management philosophy through creating an enabling environment for management research and the provision of adequate research funds or grants.3 explore METHODOLOGY3.1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY / PARADIGM3.2 RESEARCH DESIGNIn investigating the phenomenon, the interpretative approach, particularly constructive-interpretative paradigm will be used in the study taking into account its ability to generate an in-depth understanding regarding factors that impacts on Ubuntu leadership (Cohen et al, 2007155 Creswell, 200352 McMillan Schumacher, 2006318). In the course of investigations, the interpretative approach would allow, the researcher to explore, analyse, describe, and show the relationships between Ubuntu and strategy management and implementation. That will be made possible because the phenomenon of Ubuntu and leadership will be investigated in their unique and natural setting (Lauer, 200676). Simply put all interviews, observational field notes and documents analys es would be done at the participant place.In employing the qualitative research design, a case study will be employed to sample participants, collect data, and analyse data as shown below.3.3 POPULATION AND SAMPLE3.3.1 POPULATIONThe focus for this study will be on employers and employees of huntsman group of companies which is a Hospitality Industry. The company has faculty numbering around 1000 employees. Orion is sub-divided into many different business branches and each business branch is run as a business on its own. The research study focuses on Orion group the faculty compliment at each branch is comprised of about 100 full time permanent employees. From the total number of employees working at Orion Braamfontein office, all are eligible to participate. Over 15 participants out of the 50 employees will be selected for the purpose of this study and will form the sucker population for the study.3.3.2 SAMPLE AND SAMPLING METHODThe researcher will use a purposive sample distri bution to select participants. The identified sample comprised of xv participants seven men and eight women. According to Budhal (200062), Creswell (200352) and, McMillan and Schumacher (2006317), a sample represents a small and distinct group of information-rich informants that would enable the researcher to understand the problem in depth. The criteria for selecting such information-rich sample amongst others, is that participants who are knowledgeable, informative and willing to chew up (Lauer, 200678 McMillan Schumacher, 2006319).Regarding the availability of the administration offices, it will assist in maximising privacy and confidentiality during interview sessions (Keats, 200030 Pedroni Pimple, 200111). Furthermore, purposive sampling will be done by combining strategies like site selection, network sampling and sampling by case in order to maximize its impact. Lastly, licence would be sought from the Orion Head office.Having discussed how the participants would be sel ected in the bordering section, the proposal explains how data will be collected.3.4 THE RESEARCH INSTRUMENTThe legal instrument to be used for data collection is a questionnaire. The questionnaire is chosen as it is the most popular form of data collection. It is important for the questionnaire to be constructed in such a way as to gain as much useful information from the respondent as possible (Newell, 1993, 48). With this, great care, time and efforts would be put into the construction of this research studys questionnaire as to obtain as much useful information as possible. Questionnaires are created to be simplified to understand, avoid ambiguous, draw up leading questions, quick and simple to answer (Kidder Judd, 1993).In this case, questionnaire will be distributed to participants and collected once they have been completed. These questionnaires will be distributed through email, containing a hyperlink to