The conference was hosted online on 10 & 11 August 2022 and was themed “Kusimbisana”, which means “To strengthen each other”. The theme was linked to the topics that were covered at the conference, which included family business dynamics and research, generational involvement in/and succession, innovation, finance and culture, and raising the rising generation. Over the two days, family business researchers and professionals presented their research in the field of African family business. Informative panel discussions were also held on each of the days, where important questions were raised and answered.
Contributions by members of the Department of Business Management included:
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Prof Elmarie Venter (Professor in Business Management) participated in and facilitated various sessions, headed the panel discussions, and assisted with organising the conference. Links to the panel discussion recordings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TizgosdiSg4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGfqMw62mkE
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Prof Shelley Farrington (Professor in Business Management) participated in various sessions, hosted an author interview with Mrs Nike Anani of the AFF, and assisted with organising the conference. Interview recording link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZMB2U2vMOg
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Dr Welcome Kupangwa (Former PhD student in the department and Lecturer in the Department of Management Practice) presented his research, titled “Strategic business values in indigenous Black South African family businesses”, which was co-authored with Prof Farrington and Prof Venter. Dr Kupangwa also participated in the panel discussion on Day 1. Presentation recording link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8tJledWpvk
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Ms Cassidy Billings (Master’s student in the department) presented her Master’s research, titled “African family business research – initial explorations of the field”. Prof Farrington is her supervisor. Presentation recording link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ_kpUmAgH0
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Mr William Akah Ndang (PhD student in the department) presented his PhD research, titled “The moderating influence of socioemotional wealth on the innovation choices and outputs of South African family businesses – A proposed conceptual model”. Prof Venter is his supervisor. Presentation recording link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIr_cEJbkko
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Mrs Sanelisiwe Bulelwa Siyotula-Tschappe (PhD student in the department) presented her PhD research, titled “Integrated reporting as a trigger of transformative organisational change within listed South African family businesses: The (moderating) role of socioemotional wealth”. Prof Venter is her supervisor. Presentation recording link: N/A
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Mr Siyabonga Sirayi (Academic Advisor, Junior Lecturer in Business Management and Master’s student in the department) presented his research, titled “Family business in ukwalusa kwemfuyo (herding livestock): Conceptualising the philosophy within Xhosa people as a practice”. Presentation recording link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttKihxG3qw0
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Mr Haydn Hayidakis (Social Media and Digital Assistant) assisted with organising the conference.
Overall, the conference was a great success, and it is hoped that this conference can continue to grow from year to year, as it offers a great opportunity for researchers in Africa to share (and showcase) their research and contribute to the world of family business management and governance.
Links to all the session recordings can be accessed on the conference website:
https://www.africanfamilyfirms.org/kusimbisana2022
