Wanna Build High-Performing Organizations in Afric: Think Regional

This paper makes the case for taking the regional approach as a strategy for building high-performing organizations in Africa. Recognizing that most of contemporary Africa is experimenting with different forms of deepening... [ view full abstract ]

This paper makes the case for taking the regional approach as a strategy for building high-performing organizations in Africa. Recognizing that most of contemporary Africa is experimenting with different forms of deepening regional integration, the paper provides a brief explanation of the regional approach, gives examples of regional organizations and how well they are performing. In addition to the African Union's eight formally recognized Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the paper points to other forms of regional organizations, in different parts of the continent. It draws on recent research from the regionally integrating East Africa and discusses various strategies firms undertake to navigate the challenges and exploit advantages of regional integration. The paper also addresses possible contingencies for management and organization in regionally integrating environments. Given the limited theory based research in this area, the paper calls on scholars to pay more attention to this topic.