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.

Corporate Citizenship provides comprehensive foundation that equips students with the tools to analyse the development and implementation of globally responsible business behavior. While corporate citizenship may be a theoretical and philosophical subject, this textbook offers a broad range of examples and situations that give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a critical manner within a business context.

Features

• Current issues pertaining to corporate governance
• Dilemma boxes throughout the chapter to illustrate real-life problems students might face in future work environments.
• Local examples and case studies from southern Africa to ensure students have a relevant context for the theory
• Key terms and concepts highlighted throughout the chapter
• Example boxes throughout the chapter to illustrate theoretical concepts, using local examples
• Learning outcomes which are linked to the chapter
• Opening Case Scenario which sets the scene for topics to be discussed in the chapter
• List of further readings per chapter to enhance the student's knowledge regarding the subject matter

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.

The business environment changes constantly, and so too must the approaches to managing a business organisation successfully. Among the plethora of management theories, each proposing that it provides the best solution to optimising an organisation, a few have stood the test of time and are considered principles that all modern managers should know and be able to apply. Management Principles: A Contemporary Edition For Africa focuses on these core management principles. It provides learners with a sound knowledge of the business environment, how to manage scarce resources, and the functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling. The book also highlights the importance of sound decision-making, information management, optimising a diverse workforce, managing different organisational cultures, managing people (individuals, groups and teams) and business ethics.