Abstract
This study aimed to comprehend organizational structures and leadership dynamics in two well-known indigenous social institutions in Ethiopia, namely Idir and Iqub, in order to investigate how their governance frameworks, leadership roles, and decision-making processes have been made to help understand how they may contribute to community resilience and social cohesion
Methodology: This research, therefore, applies a mixed-method approach by merging qualitative and quantitative approaches. The tool of data collection is through semi-structured interviews and participant observations besides surveys for both members and the leadership of both Idir and Iqub. The data analysis will make use of the institutional bylaws besides minutes of the meetings for the further descriptive Lindstrom regarding structural and operational practices. Analysis of the results will be using thematic and statistical analyses.
Findings: While Idir follows a more structured and hierarchical framework, Iqub operates with greater flexibility and informality, putting more emphasis on financial collaboration. Both institutions apply participatory governance, with collective decision-making being the dominant mode. In Idir, leadership is usually merit-based, emanating from community respect, while in Iqub, the leadership is shared and fluid. These institutions have responded to external pressures through changes in practices, collaboration with stakeholders, and reliance on cultural values.
Implications: The findings bring into light the organizational relevance of idir and iqub, and provide other models of governance congruent with the key concerns for human organizations nowadays: inclusiveness, adaptability, and sustainability. The insights gained could be used to demonstrate a role of indigenous knowledge systems in complementing the contemporary organizational framework in respect to community-focused development and sustainable leadership. Such research will bridge the gap while adding to the body of literature on indigenous governance and its implications within a global perspective.
Keywords
References
- Aredo, D., & Asefa, S. 1998. The Iqqub and Idir institutions in Ethiopia: Their role in the economy. Northeast African Studies, 5(2), 1–28.Google Scholar ↗
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.Google Scholar ↗
- Bryman, A. 2016. Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.Google Scholar ↗
- Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. 2016. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗
- Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. 2018. The Sage handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗
- Field, A. 2018. Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗
- Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. 2019. Ethnography: Principles in practice (4th ed.). Routledge.Google Scholar ↗
- Israel, M., & Hay, I. 2006. Research ethics for social scientists: Between ethical conduct and regulatory compliance. SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗
- Mequanent, G. 2011. Crafting safety nets under new social circumstances: A case study of Idirs, Mahabers, and Iqubs in the Ethiopian community in Toronto. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 9(4), 394–411.Google Scholar ↗
- Nigatu, R. T., & Tadesse, M. 2019. Harnessing indigenous social institutions for technology adoption: Evidence from Ethiopia. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 11(6), 711–720.Google Scholar ↗
- Pankhurst, A., & Assefa, G. 2008. Understanding customary dispute resolution in Ethiopia. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 8(2), 63–102.Google Scholar ↗
- Patton, M. Q. 2015. Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗
- Resnik, D. B. 2020. What is ethics in research & why is it important? National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfmGoogle Scholar ↗
- Smith, L. T. 2012. Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books.Google Scholar ↗
- Teshome, E., Zenebe, M., Metaferia, H., & Biadgilign, S. 2014. Participation and significance of self-help groups for social development: Exploring the community capacity in Ethiopia. SpringerPlus, 3, 189.Google Scholar ↗
- Tesfaye, A. 2022. Roles and challenges of Idris in local socio-economic development: A case of Ambo Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. African Journal of Social Work, 12(3), 47–58.Google Scholar ↗
- Wudneh, D. 2011. Indigenous institutions as an option for managing natural resources in Ethiopia. DIIS Working Paper, 2011(26), 1–20.Google Scholar ↗