Leadership in the context of a crisis – Lessons from Covid-19 Pandemic

1 Brief description of the journal

The Africa Journal on Leadership and Governance (AJOLG) is a publication that seeks to bring together scholars from around the globe to share contextual issues, theory and practice on leadership and governance with a special focus on the African continent. The publication is annual and all published journal articles go through a rigorous blind peer review process by experts in the subject areas of leadership and governance. The journal provides a space for sharing and debating issues of social, political and economic dimensions within the context of leadership and governance. The publication outputs are not only for academic consumption, but also for policy considerations for primarily organizations, local and central governments in Africa and the globe in general. The journal provides an open-source platform to enhance promotion of transformative learning of good and sustainable leadership and governance practices. In addition, AJOLG is a scholarship platform that challenges scholars to bring out epistemic democracy and justice in the production and utilization of knowledge systems in Africa. The publication is co-managed and co-published by institutions in the International Leadership Consortium (ILC) of International Leadership Universities under the Campus Crusade for Christ. The administrative arrangement of the journal attests to its diversity in terms of academic views, fields of specialisation in leadership and governance cutting across dynamics of socio-cultural, religious, political and in nature as well as the geographical spread.

2 Brief description of the Call for Papers

The world is recovering from the effects one of the worst pandemics to hit the world in centuries. Covid-19 pandemic had profound effects on organizations, large and small, local and international from multiple dimensions. The leadership acumen of many managers was tried as the way of doing business changed dramatically. The entire value chain from procurement, to production, to distribution was heavily affected. In other words, organizational systems including information communication technology (ICT), human resources (HR), procurement, production, distribution, operations management, maintenance, recruitment, to mention but a few, were extensively disrupted. In all this, the role of the leader made a huge difference whether an organization survived or not. In the aftermath of the catastrophic pandemic (Covid-19), a lot of lessons can be learnt from the experiences of different leaders across the globe in different organizational settings. Therefore, this journal issue is focusing on the role of leadership during and after the Covid-19 pandemic to better prepare organizations for resilience in face of global shocks. The call for papers is sought on lessons learnt from Covid-19 experience and specifically from the following thematic areas:

Overall theme: Lessons learnt from Covid-19 experience.

2.1 Covid-19 and leadership in disaster preparedness
2.2 Human resources management in the face of Covid-19
2.3 Covid-19, leadership, and organisational resilience
2.4 Impacts of Covid-19 on commerce
2.5 Covid-19 and gender issues
2.6 Lessons learnt on Covid-19 adaptation experience.

Please note that you can explore any other relevant related issue beyond the sub-themes listed above; as long as it is around the Covid-19 pandemic, during and after the pandemic.

3 Length and content of abstract

Each abstract must be between 200 and 250 words. A one paragraph abstract is required which should highlight the following: focus of the paper, problematization of the subject matter, methodology and summary of major findings and conclusions. When you submit your abstract, use the following template and ensure to list key words at the end of the abstract.

Title of Paper	Example title here
Sub-theme in which the paper is located	e.g., Lessons learnt on Covid-19 adaptation experience

Author

Title (Prof., Dr., Mr. Mrs, Ms)		Initials:		First Name
Last Name
Institution
Department
Country
E-mail				Mobile on WhatsApp

Co-Author

Title (Prof., Dr., Mr. Mrs., Ms.)		Initials:		First Name
Last Name
Institution
Department
Country
E-mail				Mobile

Abstract

4    Format of the full paper

4.1 Referencing style: American Psychological Association (APA), 6th or later edition
4.2 Language preference: English UK or USA. Whichever is the type of English you desire to use, you need to consistently use it throughout the paper.
4.3 Font style and line spacing: Times New Roman; 1.5 Line Spacing, justified.
4.4 Margins: Maintain the standard margins of 2.5cm (1 inch all round)
4.5 Print orientation: Portrait on A4 paper size
4.6 Notes to text: If you must, please use footnotes but not endnotes.
4.7 Presentation of Tables and Figures: These should be integrated into the text/narrative guided by the APA format.

5   Length of the full paper

The paper should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words.

6 Structure of the full paper

The following is the structure guideline for the full papers:

6.1 Abstract

• The abstract should cover the focus of the paper, objectives, key findings, key conclusions and key recommendations or suggestions for future research.

6.2 Introduction

• This should include clear problematization of the issue under focus, concise statement of the problem and objectives

6.3 Literature review

• To include a theoretical or conceptual framework that underpins the focus of the paper, as well as a brief empirical literature review.

6.4 Methodology

• Clearly articulate and justify the methodology applied in the development of the paper.

6.5 Presentation and discussion of results

• Clearly present the results and ensure that the discussion of the results adequately interfaces with the existing literature on the subject matter.

6.6 Conclusions and recommendations

• This requires you to include conclusions recommendations or suggestions for future research on policy level in line with the subject matter.

7 Timelines

Call for Abstracts	7 August 2023
Deadline for Receipt of Abstracts	31 August 2023
Notification of Accepted Abstracts	7 September 2023
Submission of the Full Manuscript of 6,000-8,000 words	31 October 2023
Manuscript Reviews	31 October – 7 November 2023
Comments on manuscripts sent to the authors	10 November 2023
Deadline for Receipt of final versions	30 November 2023
Publication of papers	9 December 2023

8 Submissions

May you please email your abstract and full paper to: Mr. Paddington Marimo (pmarimo@alma.co.zw) and copy Dr. Pindai Sithole (sitholepindai@gmail.com) 

Download the full article pdf here