On the Path to a Sustainable Africa: The Role of Communalism and Collaborative Enterprises

The authors see the African as an open system that easily connects with others, and they believe that this natural inclination is the foundation for a collaborative, sustainable ecosystem. The chapter examines the cultural proclivity of Africans to seek collaboration on both individual and firm levels thus promoting the notion of the multiple bottom line commonly referred to as collaborative enterprises. The multiple bottom-line approach is viewed as a collaborative endeavour that fosters mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders. The chapter suggests that, based on stakeholder collaboration and communal values, African enterprises can receive strong support from responsible leadership resulting in sustainable development; hence an understanding of the function of African community life requires a naturalistic approach. It concludes by suggesting that communalism enhances collaborative enterprises and this in turn promotes sustainability in Africa.