RESEARCH AT HENLEY AFRICA

African knowledge for the world

Knowledge drives economies and African knowledge can help build a stronger Africa, and a richer world. At Henley Africa we are investing in forward-thinking research that is focused on understanding and advancing business on the continent, and connecting African researchers into a global research network. 

shutterstock_1924933955

Sense-making for better business

True to the mission of Henley Business School Africa – we build the people, who build the businesses, that build Africa – our diverse body of academics and practitioners are working at the forefront of business and management practice to foster sense-making capabilities that benefit our students, clients, partners, and broader society.

Our research strengths span several broad themes:

  • - Reputation
  • - Leadership
  • - International business
  • - Consumer behaviour within an African context
  • - Immersive learning (Virtual reality)
Research_01

Strength in numbers

As an international business school Henley Africa is automatically well-connected into a global research agenda. Our researchers are collaborating with peers at institutions around the world as well as with those at other South African and African institutions.

We also work with our clients and other businesses and organisations in our networks to ensure that our research is applied and relevant to today’s business context.  

View all collaborations

 

Henley Air_01

Actionable insights

Research at Henley Business School Africa is multidisciplinary and is geared towards the production of actionable research including white papers and teaching case studies. We also publish widely in top-tier journals and conference proceedings. We have four dedicated research centres research centres, of which three are sister centres of Henley Business School UK research centres, but our research interests are not bound by these foci.

 

Research centres

JMCR Logo
John Madejski Centre for Reputation Africa

A sister centre of the John Madejski Centre for Reputation, focused on building sustainability and societal impact with respect to reputation and relationships in African businesses. read more

Read more
HCL logo
Henley Africa Centre for Leadership

A sister centre of the Henley Centre for Leadership, focused on recognising, developing, transforming, and sustaining positive and optimistic leadership in Africa. 

Read more
DAC logo
Dunning Africa Centre

Straddling the fields of international business, strategic management, innovation, and human resource management in African businesses.

Read more
CEMCS Logo
Centre for Emerging Market Consumer Studies

A Henley Africa research centre focused on studying and understanding consumer behaviour of African consumers  

Read more
Henley Explore
Henley Explore - Immersive Cases and Immersive Experiences

A unique immersive case centre that is focused on producing case studies and immersive experiences accompanied by virtual reality (VR) films that provide delegates with an unbeatable immersive experience. 

Read more

Our Research Outputs

Our publishing record is growing! We provide our researchers lots of support to hone their research, writing, and publishing skills to produce relevant and insightful research that advances African knowledge and helps our students learn better. 

 

Journal articles and conference proceedings 

Recent publications include an article published by E Van Tonder  and D Petzer (2022) in European Business Review, entitled Factors promoting customer citizenship behaviours and the moderating role of self-monitoring: a study of ride-hailing services, and an article in the International Journal of Anthropology, by L Spini and A  Innes. (2022) on:  Johnny Clegg: a polycultural anthropologist on stage for social justice. 

View all research output

White papers

VR_research

The effective use of VR in business school education

By Ms Louise Claassen and Ms Cara Bouwer

READ MORE

Julian

Deliberate collaboration

By Dr Julian Day

READ MORE

Barry_research

From rigidity to resonance

By Mr Barry van Zyl and Ms Cara Bouwer

READ MORE

Jon_research

Amplifying the impact of African business schools

By Dean Jon Foster-Pedley and Ms Cara Bouwer

READ MORE

View All White Papers

HBS Africa White Paper Series

Innovations, Provocations, and Explanations

Keeping pace with an unfolding future

Journal 2

In sync-personally, professionally, strategically

Journal 3

Adapting to a new world of work and leadership

View the HBS White Paper Series

HBS Africa Research Report

ESG Risk Insights Report

ESG adoption and strategic integration in leading JSE listed firms:

Research Report

Exploring a motivational approach to curb employee theft in FMCG retailing in South Africa

The state of ESG strategic integration in JSE listed companies

The state of ESG strategic integration in JSE listed companies

Positive Contributions

Positive contributions, leadership, and energy dynamics of senior management teams

Case Studies_03

Case studies

  1. Ofgen: Eyeing growth in Africa’s sustainable energy sector
  2. Serena Hotels: Deliberating the use of solar at Kenya’s Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
  3. Sultan Green: Data-driven conservation agriculture in Africa
  4. Agtech in Africa: Digital solutions to empower smallscale farmers
  5. Gikomba Market: Adapt or die, or something in between
  6. Gikomba Market: A vendor’s dilemma
  7. Gikomba Market: The life cycle of a shoe
  8. EOH: Corruption, losses, and the impact of a poor risk culture
  9. A ‘Faustian pact’? Implementing a COVID-19 vaccination policy in a South African corporate
  10. Transnet Container Corridor: Affecting a Modal Shift from Road to Rail
  11. Transnet Container Corridor: Embracing the Power of 4IR Thinking, Tools and Technology
  12. Transnet Container Corridor: The Role of Cross-silo Leadership in Driving Competitiveness
  13. Surgical leadership: disrupting the status quo
  14. Traditional leadership in Africa – navigating complex stakeholder relationships 

Our cases will be available from https://www.thecasecentre.org/ 

DOWNLOAD BOOKLET

CASE & WHITE PAPER BOOKLET | SECOND EDITION| 2023

CASE & WHITE PAPER BOOKLET

FIRST EDITION | 2023

READ MORE

CASE & WHITE PAPER BOOKLET | SECOND EDITION | 2023

CASE & WHITE PAPER BOOKLET

SECOND EDITION | 2023

READ MORE

Creating positive change through business

The Renewal Foundation is sponsoring an annual award for the best Henley Business School Africa Management Research Challenge (MRC) project focusing on how teams and organisations can make a positive difference in addressing the climate and ecological crisis. The award is supporting the further development and implementation of the MRC project, with both a financial award of £2 500 and free mentoring support for the winner.

mars-sector-6-kwzWjTnDPLk-unsplash@2x-1

Meet your alumni chapter team

Screenshot 2022-11-17 at 12.32.41
Melody Xaba
Director & Co-Founder of My Future Work
Melody is a Director & Co-Founder of My Future Work, a Learning & Development agency specialising in creating digital upskilling/reskilling solutions for the workforce. She serves in the MICT-SETA 4IR Committee, advising in the labour cohort. She was named Mail & Guardian Young 200 in 2019; won a Veuve Cliquot Elle Boss Award in 2018 and awarded the Henley Business School Johnny Clegg MBA Scholarship in 2018. Melody is also a professional speaker, advocating for the digital skills development of the African workforce, to positively impact our economy and improve the living conditions of our citizens.

Connect with us

Daniel Petzer

Prof Daniel Petzer

Head of Research

082 337 4417

daniep@henleysa.ac.za

Zara

Zara Cupido

Research Manager

078 484 1651

zarac@henleysa.ac.za

We are accredited by the leading UK, European, US and African accrediting bodies:

AABS AACSB Association of MBAs EQUIS