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- Title
Only Africa Can Create OD for Africa.
- Authors
Chinoperekweyi, Justine; Trottier, Patrick A.
- Abstract
Western cultural practices and traditions have influenced organization development (OD) designs in education. Some Western management researchers argued that it is difficult to establish a closeness of fit with OD in Africa because Africa's cultural dimensions need to be more consistent with fundamental OD principles. Despite the predominance of Ubuntu philosophy, African culture is labelled as inhospitable to OD because it discourages innovation, individualism, and openness, elements associated with OD values. This article outlines that African culture is not inhospitable to OD, and such perceptions are limited to Western schools of thought and a misunderstanding of the authentic African culture. OD has universal applicability, and with indigenized formations, African OD will emerge richer based on pertinent local conditions and cultures. The article reinforces OD's core nature and philosophy to adapt to local cultures. However, there is a predominance of colonial, linear thinking around OD, foisted on many different world cultures, including Africa. To emerge from Western cultural transposition, Africa needs a contextual grasp, focused vision, and coherent strategy that can be identifiable, relevant, and for Africa.
- Subjects
AFRICA; UBUNTU (Philosophy); PHILOSOPHY of nature; WORLD culture; ORGANIZATIONAL change; RESEARCH personnel; AFRICAN philosophy; LOCAL culture
- Publication
Organization Development Journal, 2024, p8
- ISSN
0889-6402
- Publication type
Article