Black Managers and Their Work Colleagues: A Study of Perceptions

Abstract

South African black managers are experiencing numerous problems as pioneers in the white-dominated managerial world. Management and research studies have usually concentrated on black managers' behaviour without considering their perceptions. Investigations have also typically examined the viewpoints of either black managers or white employees without exploring both groups' perspectives and perceptual differences. The present investigation attempted to redress this by examining the perceptions of 34 black managers, and of selected work colleagues (a boss, peer and subordinate, if available) in regard to the black manager and black job advancement issues. In-depth, focused interviews were conducted. Fundamental interpersonal perceptual discrepancies emerged between the black managers and their work associates. The black managers tended to attribute their work problems and behaviour to external, situational factors. By contrast, their work colleagues often ascribed them to personal dispositions of the black manager. Euclidean distance analyses revealed that the largest interpersonal perceptual differences existed between black manager—boss dyads. This was followed by black manager—peer dyads, boss—peer dyads and black manager—subordinate dyads. The black managers' perceptions diverged significantly from those of their white bosses, whose perceptions were closer to those of the white peers.