A REVIEW AND PRACTICE OF CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY MANAGEMENT THEORIES: THE ACCEPTABILITY, RELEVANCE AND CHALLENGES OF AFRICAN ORGANISATIONS

Abstract

This paper is focused to review and practice of classical and contemporary management theories: the acceptability, relevance and challenges of African organisations. The paper using secondary sources of data applied descriptive exploration on literatures of the evolution of classical and contemporary management theories, the African culture, and the applications, relevance and the Challenges of western classical and contemporary management within the African culture has created for modern managers in African organisations today.  Thus, it revealed that African culture does have limitations on the usefulness of classical and contemporary management theories and practices in the workplace. In reality, these conflicts can be reduced and some point avoided if the African local cultural norms, values, and practices are given some recognition and considered in the application and African enterprises' application of both traditional and modern managerial philosophies. Despite this, both modern and classical management theories are highly applicable to the managerial and organizational challenges facing Africa today. However, considering the many instances of misappropriation and fraud committed among executives in African organizations with impunity, it hasn't had a big impact on managers' and operators' thought processes. One of the major reasons attributed to such an open display of inefficient management of resources can be attributed to culture and environmental challenges. Therefore, the paper suggests it's crucial that managers in Africa receive regular instruction and rehabilitation, particularly for large corporations operating in the region, on the best global practices of corporate governance.