Relevance of African leadership to senior managers of MNC’s operating in Africa

Abstract

The leadership style of senior managers within the organisation can have adverse effects on the organisation. Doing business in Africa requires MNC’s to be aware of African business context that has the underpinnings of an African leadership style. This study examined the effects of culture on leadership style and looked at whether African leadership concepts are perceived as being relevant or effective for MNC’s operating in Africa. This study hypothesised that senior managers perceive African and Anglo-Saxon styles to be distinctly different, that African leadership perceived to be effective and relevant and that culture dictates how managers lead.This study was a quantitative research and data was collected through questionnaires. 57 senior managers completed the survey and this represented a response rate of 14.25%. Of the above, 46 completed the entire survey while 11 respondents only completed certain sections of the survey and were eliminated. Statistical analysis was done using both significance testing and Chi-square tests.Analysis of this study revealed that senior managers do not seems to place high importance on the influence of culture on leadership styles, nor on the distinctions of the two leadership styles, but placed very high value on the relevance of African leadership constructs and felt that it would be effective if applied to their organisations.