Journal of
African Studies and Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Afr. Stud. Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2189
  • DOI: 10.5897/JASD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 238

Review

Soft skills in developing economies: An African view on the hidden linkage between indigenous knowledge and business perspectives

Helen Akolgo-Azupogo
  • Helen Akolgo-Azupogo
  • Department of Planning and Land Administration, Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Arthur Rubens
  • Arthur Rubens
  • Department of Management, Lutgert College of Business, Florida Gulf Coast University, United States.
  • Google Scholar
Roland Bardy
  • Roland Bardy
  • Bardy Consult, Germany.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 18 June 2021
  •  Accepted: 11 August 2021
  •  Published: 31 August 2021

References

African Development Bank: African Economic Outlook (2017). Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: African Development Bank Group.

 

Akolgo-Azupogo H, Bardy R, Rubens A (2021). Applying land governance knowledge in Northern Ghana: A case study on creating communities of practice between tribal leaders and government. Land Use Policy 107:105493.
Crossref

 
 

Alon IJ, McIntyre J (eds.) (2004). Business Education and Emerging Market Economies. Norwell, Massachusetts: Palgrave.
Crossref

 
 

Altrogge J, Zanker F (2019). The Political Economy of Migration Governance in the Gambia. Arnold Bergstraesser Institute, Freiburg. 

 
 

Ansah K, White E (2014). Understanding Creative Industries: their definitions, models, measurements and drivers. Culture and Creative Industry Workshop 19 August 2014. Accra, Ghana: British Council.

 
 

Arias O, Evans DK, Santos I (2019). The skills balancing act in Sub-Saharan Africa: Investing in skills for productivity, inclusivity, and adaptability. Washington, D.C.: World Bank.
Crossref

 
 

Arogundade BB (2011). Entrepreneurship Education: An Imperative for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies 2(1):26-29.

 
 

Baldwin K (2016). The paradox of traditional chiefs in democratic Africa. Cambridge University Press.
Crossref

 
 

Bardy R, Drew S, Kennedy TF (2012). Foreign investment and ethics: How to contribute to social responsibility by doing business in less-developed countries. Journal of Business Ethics 106(3):267-282.
Crossref

 
 

Bardy R, Rubens A, Akolgo-Azupogo H (2018). Combining indigenous wisdom and academic knowledge to build sustainable future: An example from rural Africa. Journal of African Studies and Development 10(2):8-18.
Crossref

 
 

Bardy R, Rubens A, Eberle P (2017). Soft Skills and Job Opportunities of Migrants: Systemic Relationships in the Labor Market. Business Ethics and Leadership 1(4):5-21.
Crossref

 
 

Bele MY, Sonwa DJ, Tiani AM (2014). Local communities' vulnerability to climate change and adaptation strategies in Bukavu in DR Congo. The Journal of Environment and Development 23(3):331-357.
Crossref

 
 

Bello HS (2019). Female Entrepreneurship in the African Fashion Industry. In. Moreno- Gavara, C., Jiménez-Zarco (eds.), A Review of Its Determinants and Characteristics: Sustainable Fashion. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, pp. 99-113.
Crossref

 
 

Bhatnagar N (2011). Effective communication and soft skills. New Delhi, India: Pearson Education India.

 
 

Boateng C (2012). Restructuring Vocational and Technical Education in Ghana: The Role of Leadership Development. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 2(4):108-114.

 
 

Bodeker G (2010). Traditional knowledge and health. Subramanian, S. M., and Pisupati, B.(eds.), Traditional knowledge in policy and practice: Approaches to development and human well-being.

 
 

Buvinic M, O'Donnell M, Bourgault S (2020). Women's Economic Empowerment in West Africa: Towards a Practical Research Agenda. Center for Global Development (CGD) Working Paper # 557. Washington. D.C.

 
 

Carvalho A, Ferrinho P, Craveiro I (2019). Towards post-colonial capacity-building methodologies - some remarks on the experiences of health researchers from Mozambique and Angola. Ciência and Saúde Coletiva 24:1617-1626.
Crossref

 
 

Ceesay EK (2020). Employment in agriculture, migration, bilateral aids, economic growth and remittance: Evidence from the Gambia. Economics, Management and Sustainability 5(1):48-67.
Crossref

 
 

Chakma J, Masum H, Singer PA (2010). Can incubators work in Africa? Acorn Technologies and the entrepreneur-centric model. BMC International Health and Human Rights 10(Suppl 1):S1-S7.
Crossref

 
 

Chivaura VG (2007). Hunhu/Ubuntu: A sustainable approach to endogenous development, bio-cultural diversity and protection of the environment in Africa". In. Haverkort, B. and Rist, S. (eds), Endogenous development and bio-cultural diversity: the interplay between worldviews, globalization and locality. Compas Series on Worldviews and Sciences (No. 6). pp. 229-240.

 
 

Choi J, Dutz MA, Usman Z (eds.) (2020). The Future of Work in Africa: Harnessing the Potential of Digital Technologies for All. Washington. D.C.: The World Bank.
Crossref

 
 

Comme V, Desere K, Hatting J (2019). Matching the Competencies of Hospitality Graduates with the Expectations from the Hospitality Industry in Ghana: A Case Study. Proceedings of the European Conference on Education 2019. London, U.K.

View

 
 

Dammert A, Nansamba A (2019). Skills Training and Business Outcomes: Experimental Evidence from Liberia. Partnership for Economic Policy Working Paper. New Haven, CT: Innovations for Poverty Action.

View

 
 

de Jager A (2007). The Rural Information System of the Uganda Commodity Exchange. The Hague, Netherlands: International Institute for Communication and Development.

 
 

Dekker M, Simbanegavi W, Hollander S, Miroro O (2018). Boosting productive employment in Africa: what works and why. INCLUDE Synthesis Report Series.

 
 

Dia M (1996). Africa's management in the 1990s and beyond. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Crossref

 
 

Drucker PF (1985). Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Practice and Principles. New York, NY: Harper and Row.

 
 

Dum ABN, Nwafor BC (2019). The Leadership of Enterprise Education on Poverty Alleviation and Unemployment in Africa. Business Ethics and Leadership 3(4):28-33.
Crossref

 
 

el Ibrahim MH (2007). Live-stock sector training needs assessment report for East and Central Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute.

 
 

Elbeshbishi A (2018). Trade liberalisation and women's employment in Africa: Towards a level playing field. In. Kanengoni, A.D. (ed.) The future of work for women in Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa: Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa pp. 49-54.

 
 

Gavigan S, Ciprikis K, Cooney T (2020). The impact of entrepreneurship training on self-employment of rural female entrepreneurs in Uganda. Small Enterprise Research 27(2):180-194.
Crossref

 
 

Gumede DM, Taylor M, Kvalsvig J (2020). An Innovative Strategy to address shortages of healthcare personnel in South Africa. Research Square Preprint.
Crossref

 
 

Henderson H (1999). Beyond Globalization: Shaping a Sustainable Global Economy. West Hartford, CT: Kumarian Press.

 
 

Honwana A, Honwana N (2020). How are the youth stepping up to CoVID-19 in Africa? London, UK: London School of Economics (LSE) Firoz Lalji Center for Africa.

 
 

IDCG (International Development Coordinating Group) (2017). Interventions to improve the labour market outcomes of youth. Berlin, Germany: Humboldt University, and Geneva, Switzerland: International Labor Organization.

 
 

Ilogu EC (1974). Christianity and Igbo culture. New York, NY: Nok Publishers.

 
 

Inoue N (2019). Digital economy and development: an empirical study on motorcycle driver jobs in Uganda. IDE Discussion Paper No. 753. London, UK: Institute of Developing Economies (IDE) and, Japan External Trade Organization.

 
 

Iwu CG, Bayari LSO, Jaiyeola A (2019). Exploring the [un] likelihood of successful integration of skilled and unskilled immigrants into the hospitality industry. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure 8(3):201-213.

 
 

Jain S, Sasiprabhu S (2020). Tech to the rescue: How to make Africa's digital transformation work for resilience. In. Jain, S., Chadha, M., Owino, K., and Mutua, J. (eds.), The Day After Tomorrow. Africa's Battle with CoVID-19 and the Road Ahead. New Delhi, India: Observer Research Foundation pp. 98-148.

 
 

Kambone MI (2017). The impact of small and medium enterprises in achieving sustainable development growth in Zambia. The International Journal of Multi- Disciplinary Research Platform. Paper ID: CFP/364/2017.

 
 

Kanyandago P (2010). Revaluing the African endogenous education system for community-based learning: an approach to early school leaving. In: Zeelen, J., van der Linden, J., Nampota, D., Ngabirano, M. (eds.), The Burden of Educational Exclusion: Understanding and Challenging Early School Leaving in Africa. Rotterdam/Boston/Taipei: Sense Publishers, pp. 99-113.

 
 

Kwakye MO, Mengistie B, Ofosu-Anim J, Nuer ATK, van den Brink PJ (2019). Pesticide registration, distribution and use practices in Ghana. Environment, Development and Sustainability 21(6):2667-2691.
Crossref

 
 

Mamabolo MA, Kerrin M, Kele T (2017). Entrepreneurship management skills requirements in an emerging economy: A South African outlook. The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management 9(1):1-10.
Crossref

 
 

Marinescu C, Valimareanu I (2019). The main currents (schools) of thought about the informal economy. Revista de Management Comparat International 20(3):312- 316.

 
 

Massaro M, Bardy R, Garlatti A (2015). A Soft Skill Training Model for Executive Education. In. Lepeley, M.T. Kimakowitz, E. von, and Bardy, eds. Human Centered Management in Executive Education: Global Imperatives, Innovation and New Directions. New York, NY: Palgrave MacMillan, pp. 222-241.
Crossref

 
 

Mbiti JS (1969). African religions and philosophy. London, UK: Heinemann.

 
 

McKenzie D, Woodruff C (2014). What Were We Learning from Business Training and Entrepreneurship m Evaluations around the Developing World? The World Bank Research Observer 29(1):48-82.
Crossref

 
 

Mirvis P, Googins B (2018). Catalyzing social entrepreneurship in Africa: Roles for western universities, NGOs and corporations. Africa Journal of Management 4(1):57-83.
Crossref

 
 

Morrison SA (2018). Reframing Westernized culture: insights from a Critical Friends Group on Eco-Justice Education. Environmental Education Research 24(1):111- 128.
Crossref

 
 

Myers J (2019). 19 of the World's 20 youngest countries are in Africa. World Economic Forum.

 
 

Newenham-Kahindi A (2009). The Transfer of Ubuntu and Indaba Business Models Abroad: A Case of South African Multinational Banks and Telecommunication Services in Tanzania. International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management 9(1):87-108.
Crossref

 
 

Ojiagu NC, Nzewi HN, Arachie AE 2020). Accountability and transparency in nation building: a covid-19 experience in sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research 7(1):23-33.
Crossref

 
 

Olopade D (2015). The Bright Continent Breaking Rules and Making Change in Modern Africa. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

 
 

Omolayo B (2006). Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice. In. Omotosho, A., T.K.O. Aluko, O.I. Wale Awe, O.I., and Adaramola, M.S. (eds). Introduction to Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria: University of Ado-Ekiti Press. pp. 126-137.

 
 

Omoniyi MBI (2013). The Role of Education in Poverty Alleviation and Economic Development: a theoretical perspective and counselling implications. British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences 15(II):176-185.

 
 

Onda M (2001). Social Development in Asia: From the Viewpoint of Development Sociology. Ryutsu Keizai Daigaku Shakaigakubu Ronso 11(2):27-50.

 
 

Osuagwu L (2002). Entrepreneurship in a Developing Economy: Empirical evidence from Nigeria Business Organizations. International Journal of Entrepreneurship 6(1):19- 32.

 
 

Pécoud A (2018). What do we know about the International Organization for Migration? Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 44(10):1621-1638.
Crossref

 
 

Pietz T, Carlowitz LV (2011). Ownership in practice: lessons from Liberia and Kosovo. German Foundation for Peace, Research Report No. 29. Osnabrück, Germany: Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung.

 
 

Rotberg RI (2020) Things Come Together: Africans Achieving Greatness in the Twenty- First Century. New York: Oxford University Press/Oxford Scholarship Online.
Crossref

 
 

Schlogl L, Weiss E, Prainsack B (2021). Constructing the 'Future of Work': An analysis of the policy discourse. New Technology, Work and Employment 2021. Published online 23 June.
Crossref

 
 

Silitshena RMK (1992). Botswana: a physical, social and economic geography. Gaborone, Botswana: Longman.

 
 

Snowball J, Collins A, Tarentaal D (2017). Transformation and job creation in the cultural and creative industries in South Africa. Cultural trends 26(4):295-309.
Crossref

 
 

Stanfield JR (1986). The economic thought of Karl Polanyi: Lives and livelihood. Berlin, Germany: Springer.
Crossref

 
 

State of Logistics Survey (2014): 10th annual State of Logistics Survey for South Africa Pretoria, South Africa: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

 
 

Tripath P, Singh N (2017). Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship through Skill Development for Decent Livelihood: A Review. International Journal of Current Research and Review 9(15):21-25.

 
 

Tshuma MC, Monde N (2012). A socio-economic impact assessment of a project to identify and implement best management practices at the Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme at farm level. Water SA 38(5):783-792.
Crossref

 
 

UIL (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning) (2013). Second Global Report on Adult Learning and Education: Rethinking Literacy. Hamburg, Germany: UIL.

 
 

Van Barneveld K, Quinlan M, Kriesler P, Junor, A, Baum F, Chowdhury A, Friel S (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons on building more equal and sustainable societies. The Economic and Labour Relations Review 31(2):133-157.
Crossref

 
 

Van den Broeck G, Swinnen J, Maertens M (2017). Global value chains, large-scale farming, and poverty: Long-term effects in Senegal. Food Policy 66(1):97-107.
Crossref

 
 

World Bank (2019). World Development Report 2019: The Changing Nature of Work. Washington, DC: World Bank.

 
 

Zoogah D, Peng MW, Woldu H (2015). Institutions, resources, and organizational effectiveness in Africa. Academy of Management Perspectives 29(1):7-31.
Crossref

 
 

Zoogah D (2020b). Companionate leadership: A shemswian perspective. African Journal of Management 6(3):214-247.
Crossref

 
 

Zoogah D, Beugré C (2012). Managing organizational behavior in the African context. New York: Routledge.
Crossref

 
 

Zoogah D, Gomes E, Cunha MP (2020). Autochthonous management knowledge/knowledge management in Africa. Journal of Knowledge Management 24(6):1493-1512.
Crossref