The seventh Africa Research Group International Conference, hosted by the Africa Research Group, University of Nottingham, and University of Kigali, is ongoing from August 27 to August 29 in Kigali.

With the theme of "Contemporary Developments in the Management of Organizations in Africa: Tapping into Indigenous Knowledge and Developing Viable Partnerships," the conference aims to delve into pertinent issues surrounding organizational management within the African context.

Bringing together local and international researchers

At the heart of this conference are both local and international researchers who have come together to share their research findings centered around the theme. These researchers are dedicated to advancing their understanding of organizational management in Africa, prompting discussions and fostering collaborations to enhance their research endeavors.

In a press interview, representatives from the University of Kigali expressed their aspiration to become a knowledge-intensive institution with a strong focus on producing valuable knowledge about Africa.

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Professor Felix Maringe, UoK&039;s Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, highlighted, "Our aim is to enhance knowledge productivity, with a focus on African insights. Collaborating with entities like the ARG aligns seamlessly with our goals, adding significant value. This partnership resonates particularly well due to our role as knowledge custodians within Rwanda's context.

"The university's various research domains, spanning business management, IT, and postgraduate portfolios, strongly contribute to the ideals of the ARG. We anticipate gaining fresh perspectives from global experts, providing a platform for the latest research developments. This interaction goes beyond reading papers; it engages researchers in a richer discourse that enriches our academic pursuits," Prof. Maringe said.

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Professor Nnamdi Madichie, UoK&039;s Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, expressed, "It brings us immense joy to collaborate with Nottingham University in hosting this event. Our aim is to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of diverse perspectives on various issues. Attendees from South Africa, Portugal, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and even Texas have traveled far and wide for this international conference with an African essence.”

"After the conference, we aim to reflect and distill key takeaways from the discussions. Following this event, Northwest University has been invited to the University of Kigali to explore potential areas of collaboration. This embodies our focus on capacity building, fostering the ability of individuals to pursue doctorate programs. We anticipate fruitful partnerships with the University of Kigali in the near future, as we work toward establishing our own doctoral program. Portugal is set to host the event next year or in the following two years, hopefully offering our doctoral students an exciting opportunity for international exposure," he said.

Challenges and opportunities in African organizational management research

Keynote speakers shed light on the fascinating opportunities researchers find in Africa, juxtaposed with the challenges they face.

Professor Ken Kamoche, Professor at Nottingham University Business School and Director of the Africa Research Group, said: "Africa presents captivating research opportunities, both locally and globally. Organizations grapple with challenges like talent retention and performance management. While these challenges offer opportunities, resource constraints hinder research efforts. For us, collaborating with scholars from both the African continent and overseas is crucial.”

He added: "This partnership is valuable because it combines local knowledge with the resources and flexibility we often have. Many of us, especially during conferences like these, engage in such collaborative efforts.”

A diverse array of research

The conference featured a diverse range of research presentations from across the African and European contexts. Notably, Armenio Rego, a researcher and professor at Católica Porto Business School, presented a study titled "Leader Compassion and Team Performance: A Functional Perspective." In his research, he looked at 225 groups of leaders and teams, including 155 from Portugal and 70 from Angola.

"The study aimed at ascertaining whether leaders’ show of compassion affects how well their teams perform. We found that when leaders care about their teams and work together, the teams do better. This is especially true when leaders make sure everyone understands the team's goals. Interestingly, teams from Angola benefited more from leaders who helped them develop. This study gave us insights from both African and European viewpoints, showing why organizations like ARG are important,” Rego said.

The seventh Africa Research Group International Conference represents a unique blend of research, collaboration, and capacity building, serving as a platform for scholars to come together, share insights, and collectively contribute to advancing the understanding of contemporary organizational management in Africa.