Adopting a mindset for third wave management in South Africa

M.Comm.The world is an ever-changing place, with industrial and information revolutions coming and going. Technological developments have resulted in shorter cycles of each revolution. Adopting the mindset for the Third Wave management simply means embracing change. This change involves a paradigm shift from the Second Wave to the Third Wave management and thereafter to evolve further into the Fourth Wave management organizations. The principles of the Second Wave and the Third Wave management have been dissected in order to gain a deeper understanding of each. A comparison of the characteristics of the Second Wave and Third Wave management principles has also been made. It is justified to say that many South African organizations are still operating with the topdown hierarchical pyramid. They are still locked in the Second Wave management thinking, and South African authors have confirmed this fact in their discussion of management issues in this country. Therefore the objective of this dissertation was to create a framework and guidelines for a mind shift towards the Third Wave management. Elements discussed are the evolution towards the Third Wave organization with specific reference to the waves of management and South Africa's positioning. More complex organizational forms will put renewed focus on elements such as visionary and participative management with teambuilding and networking as essential focus areas. Various South African authors have indicated that the principles of the Third Wave management can indeed be applicable in a South African context. It is therefore incumbent on corporate leaders in South Africa to start embracing change and transforming to the Third Wave. The world is changing and at a speed no one can keep up with. That is the one thing corporate leaders can be sure of. Change management will therefore play a vital role in a continuous strive towards global competitiveness. The Second Wave principle of management are however long outdated for the global economy and the challenges facing South African organizations. This calls for the mindset of organizations to move towards the Third Wave management and to become network organizations. South African organizations will therefore have to be flexible, adapt to change, develop flatter organization structures, be sensitive to the environment, look after their shareholders' needs and empower and reward personnel for performance. The challenge facing the corporate leaders today is to become "world class" or perish