Corporate Wisdom System Development and the Influencing Role of Organisational Context: A Case Study of MTN Eswatini

Kule Julius Warren, Happyson Bimha & P.G. Dlamini
Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Commerce
University of Eswatini

Abstract: In today’s highly competitive and dynamic business environment, organisations that aim to excel rely on organisational knowledge, intelligence and experience to drive their strategic planning, decision making and implementation processes. To transform organisational wisdom into value creating activities, understanding and aligning key aspects of organisational context in the direction of corporate objectives and strategies becomes management’s ultimate goal. Knowledge transfer, innovation and creativity, and learning and adaptability are realised if an organisation’s purpose, culture and structure are configured to drive competitiveness. The study examined the influence of organisational context on corporate wisdom system development in Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN)’s Eswatini division, which was presumed to have adopted the corporate wisdom concept. The study focused on how organisation purpose, culture and structure influence wisdom system development at MTN Eswatini. An objective questionnaire circulated to managerial staff using Google forms attracted 50 valid responses which were analysed to reflect the influence of purpose, culture and structure on the organisation’s wisdom system development. Since the study was conducted during the height of Covid-19 that forced many managerial staff to work from home, 50 respondents were conveniently selected to participate in the study. Results of the study show that MTN’s purpose clearly specifies value proposition to its customers (SD=.544), management and subordinates agree on goals to be pursued (SD=.756) and MTN’s purpose specifies areas of focus to achieve company goals (SD=.550). All the six elements of culture that were examined have mean scores of between 4 and 5, indicating MTN culture is configured to drive the organisation’s goals. Overall, the study established that purpose, culture and structure of MTN significantly influence MTN’s wisdom system development.