The philosophy of Ubuntu has seen a rise in prominence within the sphere of organizational studies, where it represents a stark contrast to the traditional Western emphasis on individualism and materialism. Ubuntu advocates for a holistic, community-focused approach, stressing values like mutual respect, solidarity, and interconnectedness. Despite its growing recognition, the integration of Ubuntu within mainstream organizational practices remains complex, with significant resistance rooted in Western norms that favor individual rights and economic gain. Recent scholarship has begun to address this gap, seeking ways to harmonize Ubuntu's communal ethos with contemporary organizational structures.
This Research Topic aims to critically analyze and expand the application of Ubuntu within organizational contexts, evaluating both its potential and its challenges. The focus will be on how Ubuntu can contribute to more humane and compassionate organizational practices, exploring the interplay between communal and individual values, and the feasibility of reconciling these with the demands of modern business environments.
To gather further insights on the boundaries of Ubuntu's application in organizational settings, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Reconciliation of Ubuntu with Western organizational paradigms.
- Analysis of contradictions and ethical dilemmas within Ubuntu philosophy.
- The impact of Ubuntu on individual agency and organizational roles.
- Ubuntu’s approach to conflict resolution and its implications for human resources.
- The influence of global events on Ubuntu-based organizational strategies.
We welcome submissions in diverse formats, including original research, reviews, and theoretical explorations, using a variety of methodological approaches. Submissions may address these or other relevant topics as we collectively advance the discourse on integrating Ubuntu principles into organizational studies.
Keywords: Ubuntu, compassion, humanism, culture, epistemology, indigenous
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
