Orgniasing and managing across cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Orgniasing and managing across cultures - Essay Example As such, this report seeks to critically analyse the significance of culture in the management systems in organisations in Africa. The report will also attempt to establish if the ideas that characterise the concept of ubuntu can be applied in other cultural contexts. The philosophy of ubuntu The concept of ubuntu mainly originated from the culture of African people which puts more emphasis on social behaviours such as sharing and treating each other equally (Schultz, 2005). Ubuntu is a metaphor that describes the significance of group solidarity, morality, humanness, hospitality and understanding (Mbigi & Maree, 2005). This concept is very important on survival issues in African communities which as a result of poverty have to survive through brotherly group care and not individual self reliance. This concept is applicable to poor communities and the main idea behind it is to empower the marginalised people and the idea has been harnessed in the management of people in the organisat ions to reflect their interests. With regards to organisations, the concept of ubuntu emphasises the need to harness the solidarity tendency of the African people in developing management practices and approach. Western and African cultures are very different and behaviour of people from these places is also different. In Africa, the philosophy of extended family is given priority while in western cultures, emphasis is on the nuclear family and the individual and competition is encouraged. From an African perspective, reality of underdevelopment cannot be ignored and ubuntu can be possible because of the individuals in the group who collectively pull their efforts towards the attainment of set organisational goals. This philosophy can be harnessed in the nation building process and in the workplace. By gaining a full and deep understanding of the cultural and philosophical basis of the people in a business team or community, one is better positioned to harness their energies (Boon, 2006). One can synergise the operations of an organisation towards a shared vision and comprehend interdependence through the adoption of the ubuntu philosophy in managing business. Without a deep cultural understanding, it may be difficult to coordinate the efforts of the people towards the attainment of the set goals. Managing diversity Africa is comprised of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and these people are often unique and different from the others. The cultural diversity concept of human resources (HR) posits to the effect that the leaders must emerge from the workplace to motivate and direct workforce towards the attainment of the set goals (Grobler et al 2006). Managing diversity in the workplace has become an important part of HRM. Every individual is unique but at the same time we share common characteristics with other people. Therefore, diversity in the workplace means recognising in a positive way that groups of people share common characteristics and others have different characteristics (Kleynhans et al 2007). Thus, the HR professional has a duty help the organisation to comply or go along with the legislation that prevents unfair practices or discrimination because of these differences between people. The concept of ubuntu comes in handy to solve problems likely to be related to managing diversity at the workplace. Managing diversi