Publication Type

Editorial

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

4-2016

Abstract

Africa is beginning to capture the imagination of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and scholars as an emerging market of new growth opportunities. Over 15 years, the continent has experienced an average growth rate of 5% (World Economic Forum, 2015: v). Out of its 54 countries, 26 have achieved middle-income status, while the proportion of those living in extreme poverty has fallen from 51% in 2005 to 42% in 2014 (African Development Bank, 2014a: 49). Although there are regional differences, the primary drivers of growth have been rapidly emerging consumer markets, regional economic integration, investment in infrastructure, technological leap-frogging, and the opening up of new markets, especially in the service sector. African economies also face commensurate challenges. Across the continent, economies remain largely agrarian, underpinned by resource-driven growth and still dominated by the informal sector. But what is it about the context that makes Africa such fertile territory for management scholarship?

Keywords

Human resource management, institutional difference hypothesis, sub-Saharan economy, emerging economies, South Africa, research agenda, entrepreneurial orientation, financial performance, developing countries, multinational firms

Discipline

African Studies | Business | Strategic Management Policy

Research Areas

Strategy and Organisation

Publication

Academy of Management Journal

Volume

59

Issue

2

First Page

377

Last Page

393

ISSN

0001-4273

Identifier

10.5465/amj.2016.4002

Publisher

Academy of Management

Copyright Owner and License

Publisher

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2016.4002

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