Managing for organizational effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa: a culture-fit model

Abstract Research in comparative management has suggested that an organization's policies can lose their effectiveness when its cultural environment changes. Going beyond the traditional cultural-free versus culture-dependent debate, the present article develops a culture-fit model, that is, a model suggesting a synthesis between indigenous cultures and modern management techniques in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Positive cultural patterns may help implement new managerial techniques such as total quality management, just-in-time, re-engineering, teamwork and collaborative management. Implications for research and practice are suggested. Keywords: AfricaCultureManagementSub-SAHARAN AfricaOrganizational Effectiveness