The Local Context for Organizing in Nigeria

Abstract

Research in organizational identity has assumed a stable, democratic, political system in theorizing. Theories have also taken for granted an assumption of a stable economy and social environment of practice that make possible an effectual running of business. This, however, is not always the case. Practice outside the West find many of these theories faulty without local adaptations. This paper responds to the question of local adaptability by discussing environmental variables in Nigeria. To do this, I borrow from research in public relations which has provided environmental variables that practitioners must be aware of in order to localize research or practice in different environments. I discuss Nigeria's unstable political system, volatile economy and national culture which builds on research in cross-cultural studies. These serve on the one hand to demonstrate what organizational environments look like in Nigeria thereby showcasing deep-rooted values of organizational leaders and members. On the other hand, they also aid in the interpretation of organizational identity within organizations in Nigeria. An understanding of these variables will play a significant role in making sense of organizational identity and organizing in Nigeria. Findings are equally relevant to applied and engaged researchers and to practitioners in adjoining disciplines with interest in Nigeria.

Nigeria

“…Culture in Nigeria is influenced by its history, the traditions of the ethnically diverse people and current socio-economic and political conditions (Wright 2019). The different ethnical groups (among them the three major groups of the Igbo, the Yoruba and the Hausa) have a strong sense of identification with their own cultural traditions, above loyalty to state or identity as Nigerians or any other.…”

“…It is therefore difficult to identify common cultural traits of Nigerian people. Still, cultural dimensions are commonly used as an indication for cultural circumstances in the country (Wright 2019). Table 1 shows the Nigerian values for the cultural dimensions of Hofstede in relation to the global average.…”

“…Nigeria is considered a collectivist country, scoring low (score of 30) at Hofstede's cultural dimension "Individualism" (Hofstede et al 2010). In-group networks in Nigeria are large, but cohesive and group membership is important to Nigerians wherever they are (Wright 2019). There is a communal philosophy of life and concern for the less privileged, which is rooted in a concept of 'extended kinship' (Limbs and Fort 2000).…”

“…Inequality and unequal distribution of power is taken as given and accepted by society (Wright 2019), which is reflected in the high score of the dimension "Power Distance" of Hofstede. (Palk 2010) points out, that it is more about respect towards people who achieved this power through age, position and money.…”

“…Hofstede, Nigerians are very short term oriented (score on long-term orientation is 13). They are normative in their thinking, show respect for traditions and the elderly and are suspicious to societal change (Hofstede et al 2010;Wright 2019). Societies scoring low on this dimension usually have a relatively small propensity to save for the future (Hofstede et al 2010).…”