Leadership framework informed by the Samurai and Ubuntu leadership approaches

Lack of appropriate leadership and entrepreneurial skills has hindered most SMMEs to achieve sustainable growth. Current leadership approaches in SMMEs are modelled on Western multinationals that are mainly productivity oriented, with very different organizational challenges and contexts. There is a need for a framework that provides a lens through which leadership approaches in SMMEs can be identified and understood from other perspectives.

Purpose of the Research: The aim of the study was to formulate a leadership framework informed by the Ubuntu and Samurai leadership approaches that can be used to foster growth in SMMEs.

Methodology: The study was exploratory or descriptive in nature and quantitative techniques were used for data collection from a sample size of 377. Data was gathered from owners and executive managers of SMMEs in the Gauteng province and analyzed through quantitative statistical techniques.

Results: The results reviewed show that the values emerged from both leadership contexts include respect, humility, courage integrity and humility. The findings also indicated that the participants possess a favorable disposition towards employee relationships and demonstrate leadership attributes that foster employee engagement and contentment. Thus, the findings indicate preference for Samurai and Ubuntu leadership approaches.

Practical Implication of the Study: The study contributed to the body of literature on leadership approaches by proposing a framework that can be adopted by SMMEs in the real world of work.

Conclusion: SMMEs also experience failure among other challenges towards their growth as well as sustainability due to several challenges including skills shortage. The identified values are essential for the success of SMMES.