Management effects on company performance: a mixed methods study of the South African rubber industry
Date
2021
Authors
Musendame, Thabiso Jeremiah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of management on company performance within the South
African context, taking into consideration recent developments in management theory and
practice. The study was prompted by the downturn in productivity levels within local rubber
companies over the last three decades. The demise of the rubber industry and the manufacturing
industry, in general, has widely been attributed to poor management. The dearth of empirical
literature to support such claims, coupled with recent developments in management theory such
as the context theory as well as scientific methods of measuring managerial practices such as
the World Management Survey framework, are some of the catalysts driving this study. The
emergence of such knowledge presents a purportedly new paradigm shift in management theory
and practice which calls for a reconsideration of the controversial ‘universality theory’ and a
re-assessment of the validity of managerial practices of Western origin within the South African
industry context. Furthermore, the study explores the significance of context and more
specifically, the aspect of culture on company performance, taking into consideration the
emphasis that African people place on culture. In this study, the analysis research data indicates
a positive correlation between management and corporate performance and, most importantly,
it suggests that context and, more specifically culture, enhances company performance beyond
mere managerial knowledge within the South African rubber industry context. Based on this
analysis, this study argues for a paradigm which recognises the importance of situating
contemporary management practices within specific socio-cultural contexts for enhanced
organisational performance within the South African context. The findings of this study are
significant in that it offers a scholarly contribution towards an extension of management theory
relating to the application of management practice in the South African rubber industry context
Description
A thesis submitted to the in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021