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Coping mechanisms of black leaders in South African organisations
Black people are at higher risk of experiencing racism and exclusionary practices in the
workplace. This is as a direct result of South Africa’s legacy of apartheid, which subjugated
and oppressed the Black majority. Black people who hold leadership positions in
organisations find themselves in the minority, although they are a majority in society. Their
leadership positions do not shield them from experiencing exclusion by those in the
majority, causing them to develop coping mechanisms in order to survive their work
environments.
This research seeks to explore How Black leaders cope with exclusionary organisational
environments, given their paradoxical role of being part of a majority outside their
organisations, and at the same time being a minority inside their organisations.
A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted to explore new insights into this
phenomenon. A total of 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Black leaders
at C-suite and senior management levels in organisations in South Africa.
Consistent with the literature, this study found that Black leaders make use of adaptive
and maladaptive coping strategies in order to cope with exclusionary organisational
environments. The study contributes literature and with implications and
recommendations for government and business.
Description:
Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2021.