GB502 Week 3 Discussion

Unit 3: Political and Socio-Economic Environment within Which Business Operates

https://youtu.be/-r4RRgiFEZo

Introduction

This unit, we will explore the political and socioeconomic environment in SSA. It provides a basic understanding of the political and socio-economic environments in the context of Sub-Sahara African societies. This unit discusses the main elements of the region’s institutional environments; that are the political, social and economic systems and how they influence business practices.

We will research improvements that have been made with globalization, if any. To do so, we assess the economic growth rates and human progress in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past few decades. Note that the national culture of Sub-Saharan African countries shapes important norms, values, and beliefs. These cultural components exert significant influences on the nations’ business culture, that is, influence on acceptable and correct ways of doing business. Another factor that exerts a significant influence on people’s norms, values, and beliefs, is the presence of social institution intertwined with national cultural forces. Social institutions include the economic system, health care system, religion, and education.  These social institutions have implications for the nations’ business culture in the region.

Readings and Materials

1. Websites

1. Doing Business in Africa: A Risks, Trends, and Opportunities Roundtable (Links to an external site.) . (2016, July 29). Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/events/doing-business-in-africa-a-risks-trends-and-opportunities-roundtable/

2. National Democratic Institute (2017, January 12).  Sub-Saharan Africa (Links to an external site.) . Retrieved from https://www.ndi.org/sub-saharan-africa