Sixty years of research on leadership in Africa: A review of the literature

Abstract

This paper reviews peer-reviewed research on leadership in Africa published from 1950 to 2009. The review has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it provides scholars with an entry point to the relatively large body of historical literature by means of a descriptive diachronic analysis of the literature. On the other hand, it also applies a synchronic analysis, and concludes with four interpretative statements on the scholarship on leadership in Africa. These statements are: (i) Scholarship on leadership in Africa has changed, and the change is lopsided; (ii) Female scholars are increasing, and they work on different themes from male scholars; (iii) Legitimacy remains a key issue, and continues to evolve; (iv) Authenticity has become a key issue and is now closely related to reclaiming African values.

Multilevel perspectives on leadership in the African context

“…Van de Vliert & Smith, 2004;Wang & Walumbwa, 2007), to women leaders challenges (Amayah & Haque, 2017), to a critical understanding of leadership in Africa (e.g. Bolden & Kirk, 2009;Fourie et al, 2017;Mangaliso, 2001;Muchiri, 2011;West, 2014), and to introduction and explanation of specific African leadership style, Ubuntu (e.g. Karsten & Illa, 2005;Lutz, 2009;Muchiri, 2011;West, 2014).…”

“…Until recently, there has been limited research on leadership in Africa. In the last couple of decades, however, there has been a growing interest in leadership in Africa at various levels (see a review by Fourie et al, 2017;Muchiri, 2011;Zoogah & Nkomo, 2013). We should, however, note that a number of books, dissertations, and Masters' theses on leadership in the African context has been published.…”

Working with Language: A Refocused Research Agenda for Cultural Leadership Studies

“…Fourie et al . ). Based on our review, we can see that such research is able to ask different, localized and in‐depth questions and explore dynamics, tensions, intra‐ and interrelationships in a way that etic, cross‐cultural studies cannot explore or explain.…”

“…Postcolonial critiques, increasingly popular in other fields of management studies (see Jack et al 2011), are also beginning to emerge (Nkomo 2011;Srinivas 2013), building on an existing but not well-known body of literature on non-western forms of leadership (see e.g. Fourie et al 2015). Based on our review, we can see that such research is able to ask different, localized and in-depth questions and explore dynamics, tensions, intra-and interrelationships in a way that etic, cross-cultural studies cannot explore or explain.…”

Burns, Senge, and the Study of Leadership

“…Within this category are articles in which references to Burns appear in lists of references or lists within texts and articles in which there is very little of the substance of Burns' writings (e.g., articles that mention transactional or transforming leadership without defining the terms). Here, references to Burns are largely too brief to convey any sense of the complexity of his thought (Albritton, Oswald, & Anderson, 2008;Alvesson & Jonsson, 2016;Andersen, 2016;Barisione, 2009;Beck, 2014;Bligh & Kohles, 2008;Carter, 2012;Chace, 2015;Choi, 2006;Clark & Waldron, 2016;Collinson, 2005Collinson, , 2017Collinson & Grint, 2005;Conger, 2013;Conrad, 2008;Crossman & Crossman, 2011;Cunningham & Jackson, 2011;Delbecq, House, de Luque, & Quigley, 2013;Edwards, 2017;Erickson, Shaw, & Agabe, 2007;Ewest, 2015;Flanigan, 2017;Fourie, van der Merwe, & van der Merwe, 2015;Frawley, 2009;Gabriel, 2005Gabriel, , 2015Gabriel, , 2017Gleeson & Knights, 2008;Goethals, 2017;Gormley-Heenan, 2006;Griffey & Jackson, 2010;Gronn, 2005;Groves & LaRocca, 2012;Harris, 2005;Harter, Ziolkowski, & Wyatt, 2006;Hetland, Sandal, & Johnsen, 2008;…”