Managerial perceptions of the future in a volatile society: The South African case

Abstract

Volatility in the South African business context is becoming almost institutionalised. In the first two months of 1990, after decades of increasing protest, the African National Congress (ANC), along with a number of anti-government organisations, was unbanned, and, most symbolically, Nelson Mandela was released. Large business corporations, the government, the unions and the ANC are the major actors in society. In this study, carried out over a three year period between 1987 and 1989, we surveyed the perceptions of management regarding the major issues in the country, and the roles of these actors in the future of South Africa. Business management perceives itself relatively powerless compared to the other actors, especially in terms of the important macro society issues, and is quite pessimistic regarding its own ability to influence the future. Although the events of early 1990 may cause the actors to change their positions, and business to alter its perceptions, we found little change in the perceptions over the period studied.