Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Transforming Management Knowledge Production in Africa: Identity Options for Scholars

2013; Academy of Management; Volume: 1; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5465/aomafr.2012.0223

2376-7197

David B. Zoogah, Stella M. Nkomo, Nyathi Nceku,

Global and Cross-Cultural Management

The transformation of Africa does not only depend on knowledge generation but specifically management knowledge which is critical to business development, growth, and productivity. It is therefore important for African management scholars not only to generate knowledge but also to define their collective identity. That identity proffers legitimacy and other meaningful outcomes. Given the confluence of past and present influences on the continent, extreme orientations - differentiation, assimilation, exclusion, inclusion - are unlikely to enable Africa scholars achieve legitimacy. As a result, we propose optimal balance which moderates the extremes. We discuss the identification process, antecedents, outcomes, as well as dynamics to advance African management knowledge production. We conclude with implications and limitations.