Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Managerial challenges in South Africa

Managerial challenges in South Africa Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate insights into cross‐cultural conflict, identity and values amongst selected managers within a South African management context. It aims to increase the understanding of these complexities from an academic managerial perspective, thereby providing in‐depth information which can lead to the development of managerial training tools for improving diversity and conflict management in the described context. Design/methodology/approach – The authors selected qualitative data from a case study that was conducted in the international South African automotive industry. The case study was based on the post‐modernist premise by considering phenomenological and interpretative paradigms most relevant. Findings – Findings show conflicts in managerial communication and treatment, position and competition, organisation, race and gender and are often defined as “cross‐racial” conflict fuelled by the society's past. Research limitations/implications – The generalisability is limited to this specific context and needs to be proven by follow‐up studies which expand the context and the methodological approach of the study. Practical implications – Practical suggestions address the implementation of training tools, coaching and counselling in cross‐cultural conflict management. They are anticipated to create awareness on managing the present challenges and are aimed at managers and international organisations investing in South Africa. Originality/value – The paper provides new insights into the discussion on human resource management in a specific South African management context by referring to the highly important topics of cross‐cultural conflict, values and identities. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png European Business Review Emerald Publishing

Managerial challenges in South Africa

Claude‐Hélene Mayer; Lynette Louw
European Business Review , Volume 23 (6): 20 – Oct 18, 2011
Download PDF
20 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/managerial-challenges-in-south-africa-FP9NLhkEeo

References (128)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0955-534X
DOI
10.1108/09555341111175417
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate insights into cross‐cultural conflict, identity and values amongst selected managers within a South African management context. It aims to increase the understanding of these complexities from an academic managerial perspective, thereby providing in‐depth information which can lead to the development of managerial training tools for improving diversity and conflict management in the described context. Design/methodology/approach – The authors selected qualitative data from a case study that was conducted in the international South African automotive industry. The case study was based on the post‐modernist premise by considering phenomenological and interpretative paradigms most relevant. Findings – Findings show conflicts in managerial communication and treatment, position and competition, organisation, race and gender and are often defined as “cross‐racial” conflict fuelled by the society's past. Research limitations/implications – The generalisability is limited to this specific context and needs to be proven by follow‐up studies which expand the context and the methodological approach of the study. Practical implications – Practical suggestions address the implementation of training tools, coaching and counselling in cross‐cultural conflict management. They are anticipated to create awareness on managing the present challenges and are aimed at managers and international organisations investing in South Africa. Originality/value – The paper provides new insights into the discussion on human resource management in a specific South African management context by referring to the highly important topics of cross‐cultural conflict, values and identities.

Journal

European Business Review – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 18, 2011

Keywords: South Africa; Automotive industry; Managers; Cross‐cultural management; Cross‐cultural conflict; Diversity; Identity

There are no references for this article.