​​“Leadership and Innovation: Business Focused Qualification Development in South Africa”

Abstract

​​South Africa is a socially diverse and multicultural country. The constitution recognises eleven official languages and multiple ethnic groups and is progressive with regard to women's rights and sexual orientation. South Africa, however, is also constantly reminded of its troubled history under the apartheid regime, and this is still evident among its workforce who to a large extent experienced different education systems based on race. Leadership and innovation are critical at this time to help transform current limitations in the roles of management and leadership within organisations. The issues most noted are previous privilege associated with race (specifically Caucasian), bias in favour of the male gender and lack of learning opportunities linked to levels of poverty and previously disadvantaged races.

1. ​This research project prepares to look at the current level of development of qualifications, including Bachelor's Degree, focusing on leadership as opposed to management, and the challenges inherent in ensuring innovation in order to maintain ongoing/ continuous development. 
2. ​The research will evaluate qualifications which are generic versus those that specialise in specific sectors in South Africa, thereby considering leadership in a generic manner in contrast to leadership linked to a specific sector.
3. ​The research project aims to interrogate the various reasons for embarking on education and the perceptions of self-development in this field. 
4. ​The diversity of the group, their previous education system, and previous opportunities for further study will also be investigated. 

This research can be used to inform future qualification planning as well as indicate what strategies should be put in place to ensure quality education, training and development in empowering the leaders of tomorrow. The challenges noted between leadership and management in South Africa have resulted in a focus on management principles and application and not necessarily on strategic initiated leadership theory. The impact of this initiative has the potential to empower the workforce by means of a constructive and strategic human capital initiative... Read More

​Presented at:

​International Conference on Management Leadership and Governance 2017, Wits University, Johannesburg