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Meaning, personal purpose and the Big Five personality traits in exploring leader effectiveness in South Africa’s FMCG sector during the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Author

Listed:
  • Moloko Lebohang Duduzile

    (College of Business and Economics, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa)

  • Toendepi Joyce

    (College of Business and Economics Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management University of Johannesburg Johannesburg, South Africa)

Abstract

Aim/purpose – Effective leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era requires the right mix of personality traits, a deep sense of meaning, and personal purpose. The Big Five personality traits theory was chosen for its cross-cultural applicability and effectiveness in describing various personality traits precisely. The study had a two-fold objective: first, to explore the impact of meaning and personal purpose on the effectiveness of leaders in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in South Africa (SA) during 4IR era, and second, to understand how meaning and personal purpose are embedded within the Big Five personality traits. Design/methodology/approach – The research design was qualitative phenomenological, and 13 purposively sampled participants were interviewed to explore their experiences as senior leaders adapting to the 4IR demands in the FMCG industry in SA. The data were analyzed using a manual thematic analysis process. Findings – The findings showed that leaders perform optimally when they have a sense of meaning and personal purpose and that leaders in SA’s FMCG industry require support and expert guidance to adapt to the digital era. Research implications/limitations – Leadership development should address the new competencies required to transition to a new way of leading in the 4IR. This study is limited to South Africa’s FMCG industry. Originality/value/contribution – The study expanded the theoretical understanding of meaning and purpose and the integration of these concepts into the Big Five personality traits.

Suggested Citation

  • Moloko Lebohang Duduzile & Toendepi Joyce, 2025. "Meaning, personal purpose and the Big Five personality traits in exploring leader effectiveness in South Africa’s FMCG sector during the Fourth Industrial Revolution," Journal of Economics and Management, Sciendo, vol. 47(1), pages 138-163.
  • Handle: RePEc:vrs:jecman:v:47:y:2025:i:1:p:138-163:n:1006
    DOI: 10.22367/jem.2025.47.06
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    leadership; meaning; personal purpose; fourth industrial revolution; five-factor personality theory; personality traits;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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