Management Principles: a contemporary edition for Africa deals with the cornerstone principles of general management that have endured over many decades. The eighth edition of this comprehensive book on general management principles delves into the fundamentals of planning, organising, leading, controlling, and showcasing how these four management functions have stood the test of time amidst the challenges posed by, among others, the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

From navigating artificial intelligence, data analytics, blockchain technology and other technological changes to sustainability issues, inclusive workplaces, and geo-political wars, this reader-friendly book exposes the student of management theory to real-life management issues. Backed by academic research, literature reviews and South African and African case studies, this book offers a practical roadmap for both management students and seasoned professionals who have to solve management problems and make sound management decisions. Written in an accessible style, it systematically covers all relevant management principles, providing a logical framework for understanding and implementation of these principles in a volatile business environment.

In this fully-updated eighth edition, the authors have endeavoured to expose the reader to the relevant topics that managers of modern organisations must be familiar with.

Furthermore, the book accommodates different learning styles by providing the following features:

• Real-world business examples
• Figures and diagrams
• Concise summaries of important concepts
• Case scenarios
• Self-assessment questions.

Management Principles: a contemporary edition for Africa is written from a South African and African perspective. The uniqueness of this continent justifies a management approach that reflects Africa’s realities while being sensitive to the fact that Africa is part of the ever-growing borderless world.

Change is the distinguishing characteristic of the business environment across the world and it affects how contemporary organisations operate. While organisations need to do more with less, they also have to satisfy the needs of their customers who, with more exposure to local and global markets, have higher expectations relating to the cost, quality, speed and innovation of the services and products they purchase from these organisations.

In response to the changes in their business environment, organisations are becoming flatter, networked, global, more flexible and diverse and managers have to acquire the skills to face the challenges associated with these features.

The contemporary management principles offered in this publication integrates discussions on vital managerial competencies and skills with information on traditional and essential managerial concepts that have been effective in the past and are still relevant.

Major, ongoing change is the distinguishing characteristic of the business environment worldwide and it affects how contemporary organisations operate and deal with change. Organisations still need to do more with less. In addition, they need to provide for the needs of customers who, with more exposure to local and global markets, have higher expectations relating to the cost, quality, speed and innovation of the services and products they purchase from these organisations.

Due to this global need for managing change, ‘new’ forms of organisation are replacing the ‘old’ traditional bureaucracy and presenting managers with unique challenges. Thus managers of contemporary organisations need to take a holistic view of the changes in their environments and need to apply a completely new set of skills.

The approach towards contemporary management principles offered in this publication integrates discussions on vital managerial competencies and skills with information on traditional and essential managerial concepts that have been effective in the past and are still effectively used today in many business organisations.

The emphasis is on the vital role of human resources in the success of an organisation and the need for modern managers to self-actualise and embrace the practice of life-long learning.