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Africa Business Research as a Laboratory for Theory-Building: Extreme Conditions, New Phenomena, and Alternative Paradigms of Social Relationships

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  • Barnard, Helena
  • Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro
  • Manning, Stephan

Abstract

Africa is an increasingly important business context, yet we still know little about it. We review the challenges and opportunities that firms in Africa face and propose that these can serve as the basis for extending current theories and models of the firm. We do so by challenging some of the implicit assumptions and stereotypes on firms in Africa and by proposing three avenues for extending theories. One is taking the extreme conditions of some Africa countries and using them as a laboratory for modifying current theories and models of the firm, as we illustrate in the case of institutional theory and the resource-based view. A second one is identifying new themes that arise from analyzing firms in Africa and their contexts of operation, and we discuss four themes: migrating multinationals and the meaning of home country, diaspora networks within and across countries, a recasting of cultural and institutional distance, and new hybrid organizational forms. A third one is developing new theories based on alternative paradigms of social relationships that have emerged in Africa that differ from those underpinning existing theories of the firm, such as kgotla and its view of community-based relationships or ubuntu and its humanizing view of relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Barnard, Helena & Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Manning, Stephan, 2017. "Africa Business Research as a Laboratory for Theory-Building: Extreme Conditions, New Phenomena, and Alternative Paradigms of Social Relationships," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(3), pages 467-495, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:maorev:v:13:y:2017:i:03:p:467-495_00
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    Cited by:

    1. David B. Zoogah & Richard Bawulenbeug Zoogah, 2020. "Benevolence and Negative Deviant Behavior in Africa: The Moderating Role of Centralization," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(4), pages 783-813, February.
    2. Ochieng, Irene Achieng & Thornton, Heidi Coral & Owusu, Richard Afriyie, 2024. "Internationalisation patterns of African sharing economy companies: The role of gateway markets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    3. Ritter-Hayashi, Daniela & Knoben, Joris & Vermeulen, Patrick A.M., 2021. "Temporary employment: Curse or blessing for a firm's absorptive capacity?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Galina Shirokova & Tatiana Beliaeva & Tatiana S. Manolova, 2023. "The Role of Context for Theory Development: Evidence From Entrepreneurship Research on Russia," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(6), pages 2384-2418, November.
    5. Manning, Stephan, 2022. "From mainstream to niche: How value regimes shift in emerging economy upgrading," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).
    6. Geoffrey M. Kistruck & Patrick Shulist, 2021. "Linking Management Theory with Poverty Alleviation Efforts Through Market Orchestration," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 173(2), pages 423-446, October.
    7. John M. Luiz & Takudzwa Magada & Regis Mukumbuzi, 2021. "Strategic Responses to Institutional Voids (Rationalization, Aggression, and Defensiveness): Institutional Complementarity and Why the Home Country Matters," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 681-711, October.
    8. Ndikumana David Emmanuel & Maria Elo & Rebecca Piekkari, 2019. "Human stickiness as a counterforce to brain drain: Purpose-driven behaviour among Tanzanian medical doctors and implications for policy," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 2(4), pages 314-332, December.
    9. Baniyelme D. Zoogah & William Y. Degbey & Maria Elo, 2023. "Industrial policy environments and the flourishing of African multinational enterprises," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(4), pages 408-431, December.
    10. A Rebecca Reuber & Sophie Alkhaled & Helena Barnard & Carole Couper & Innan Sasaki, 2022. "Something borrowed, something new: Challenges in using qualitative methods to study under-researched international business phenomena," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(9), pages 2147-2166, December.
    11. Mohd Abass Bhat & Geleta Demera Gomero & Shagufta Tariq Khan, 2024. "Antecedents of Savings Behaviour Among Rural Households: A Holistic Approach," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 13(1), pages 56-71, January.
    12. Ling Liu & Jose Godinez & John Henley & J. Mauricio Galli Geleilate, 2023. "Corruption distance and the equity-based foreign entry strategies of multinational enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(4), pages 492-510, December.
    13. Mreji, Pamela & Barnard, Helena, 2021. "The micro-foundations of the returnee liability: The interpersonal challenges of returnee entrepreneurs in Kenya," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(2).
    14. Barnard, Helena & Mamabolo, Anastacia, 2022. "On religion as an institution in international business: Executives’ lived experience in four African countries," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(1).
    15. Ifedapo Adeleye & John Luiz & Judy Muthuri & Kenneth Amaeshi, 2020. "Business Ethics in Africa: The Role of Institutional Context, Social Relevance, and Development Challenges," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(4), pages 717-729, February.
    16. Helena Barnard & Kenneth Amaeshi & Paul M. Vaaler, 2023. "Theorizing international business in Africa: A roadmap," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(4), pages 389-407, December.
    17. Luiz, John M. & Barnard, Helena, 2022. "Home country (in)stability and the locational portfolio construction of emerging market multinational enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 17-32.

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