Road to Africanizing Management Theory Development

Abstract

The purpose of the study: This phenomenon-based theorization aims to move towards a plausible theoretical reasoning by generating and evaluating explanations that render the Africanization of management theory development (AMTD) understandable. Study approach: We will use sensemaking in discussing decolonization, indigenous culture research methods, and cultural groups who use the African Ubuntu principles and values as a stable object in creating proximity for advancing the scholarly conversation about AMTD, offering one type of Africanizing theory development. The Discussions: The current conversations about Africanizing management theory development (AMTD) have offered us three common threads, being that of decolonization, indigenous culture research, and similar Ubuntu principles and values across Africa, which provide a possible pathway to Africanizing management theory. The Implications: By establishing some common attributes in Africanized management theories, the article could contribute to operationalizing new organizational dynamics and management guidelines suited for African management development by applying sensemaking.