African Enterprises: Receptacles of Conciliation Mechanisms

Jean Biwolé Fouda; Gabriel Etogo

doi:10.37725/mgmt.2025.9004

Jean Biwolé Fouda Postdoctoral School, University of Ebolowa, Ebolowa, Cameroon
Gabriel Etogo Department of Sociology, Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37725/mgmt.2025.9004

Keywords: African enterprises, Conciliation mechanism, Critical realism

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to determine the common categories that pertain to the unique nature of enterprises in Africa. To do this, we carried out ethnographic studies in eight enterprises selected in different countries in order to identify the social systems and shared or mediating structures that constitute the embeddedness of business owners’ behaviors. The results of this investigation lead us to view enterprises in Africa as receptacles of conciliation mechanisms. Precisely, this involves their shared destiny, history, strong durability, trust in the given word, and attachment to tradition. The economic reality of entrepreneurship in Africa is thus different from the fragmented image traditionally put forward in economics.

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Author Biographies

Jean Biwolé Fouda, Postdoctoral School, University of Ebolowa, Ebolowa, Cameroon

Jean Biwolé-Fouda, professor, holder of the agrégation of management sciences and doctor of economics. A founding member of GREPO (Groupe de recherche sur la performance des organisations), his main areas of research are the specific features of CSR in Africa, the specific features of management in Africa, the theories of African organisations, the African company and the epistemic rapprochement of the managerial and academic spheres in Africa. He teaches in several faculties of economics and management in Africa and Europe, and is currently director of the doctoral school at the University of Ebolowa (Cameroon).

Gabriel Etogo, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

Gabriel Etogo, associate professor, holder of the accreditation to supervise thesis, doctor in economic sociology, is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Douala. He lectures at various universities and business schools in Cameroon and France. His research focuses on the link between sociology, management and organization in the African contexts. He has published in various international journals: Management & sciences sociales, Society and Business Review, Question(s) de management, Gestion 2000, Social Responsibility Journal, Recherches qualitatives, Management international.

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