Abstract

NGWANGWAMA, Matthias Mpareke. Organisational antecedents for an enhanced understanding of the effectiveness of organisations in Namibia. JCMAN [online]. 2023, vol.20, n.1, pp.104-135. ISSN 1815-7440.  http://dx.doi.org/10.35683/jcm21043.187.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to highlight key organisational antecedents that are associated with the effectiveness of organisations in a typical developing country, Namibia DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study was based on an interpretivist research paradigm in line with familiar features of qualitative research design. It applied an inductive research approach through data obtained via interviews from 54 key organisational role players and ultra-elites and made use of some features of multiple case studies as a research strategy to collect and analyse data FINDINGS: The study identified four Namibia-specific contextual influences and ten core contingent organisational antecedents that are associated with the effectiveness of organisations in Namibia. The findings relate to the pertinent need to develop strategies to contain the negative effects of the Namibian-specific contextual impediments, such as heavily politicised environments, lack of proper skills, the size of the economy and population as well as fear in expressing opinions, from adversely affecting the effectiveness of organisations RECOMMENDATIONS/VALUE: The study findings have theoretical and practical value for those teaching, consulting and leading organisations in developing countries, especially in African organisations. Also, those in the fields of organisational development and design, human resources, business management practice and expatriates who manage business operations in Namibia might benefit from the findings of the study MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: As contributions to the improvement of the contemporary field of management, continued research efforts are suggested to empirically further investigate ways of how to contain the negative effects of politics and lack of adequate skills and work experience on effective organisational management in developing countries. In addition, employing quantitative research approaches, such as surveys, is suggested as areas for further research to robustly test the level of entrenchment of the ten core organisational practices and activities developed in this study in a larger sample of organisations JEL CLASSIFICATION: M1, M14

Keywords : Developing country; Effectiveness of organisations; Namibia; Organisational practices; Qualitative research.

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