Business Knowledge within Africa Management Philosophy

Clement O. Olando
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Clement O. Olando: Mount Kenya University

Chapter Chapter 9 in Structural Transformation and Economic Development in Africa, 2026, pp 187-204 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The uniqueness of African philosophy, rooted in the continent’s cultural and historical contexts, challenges the view that philosophy is solely Western, highlighting African philosophy’s critical insights into existence, knowledge, and ethics. Despite historical marginalisation, African scholars have reclaimed indigenous knowledge systems, which offer alternatives to Western business theories. The calls for a decolonised inclusive approach to knowledge, recognising African traditions as legitimate contributors to both philosophy and business. This chapter explores the intersection between African philosophy and business knowledge, emphasising the significance of indigenous African thought in shaping culturally relevant and sustainable management practices. Challenging the dominance of Western-centric theories, it argues that African philosophy, particularly through the Ubuntu worldview, offers unique frameworks grounded in community, ethics, and relationality. Using a methodological literature review, the study synthesises existing scholarship to demonstrate how African epistemologies and ontologies, often marginalised due to colonial legacies, present valuable alternatives to conventional business models. Concepts such as Ubuntu and Kgotla illustrate how communal participation and shared responsibility can inform inclusive and human-centred business strategies. The chapter advocates for a decolonised approach to management theory that recognises African intellectual traditions as legitimate sources of business knowledge, capable of addressing the continent’s socio-economic realities more effectively than imported frameworks.

Keywords: Africa philosophy; Business knowledge; Culture; Management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-92318-0_9

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-92318-0_9

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