Lucy S. Wamalwa

I found this summer school to be incredibly valuable, as it provided me with a deeper understanding of how to conduct practice research., I am now learning to effectively restructure and reconceptualize Kenya's Mpesa (mobile money ecosystems) Ecosystem. Initially, I possessed a solid understanding of quantitative research methods, but as time progressed, I recognized that these methods were inadequate for studying certain phenomena. I needed to familiarize myself with qualitative research methods, which have proven effective in understanding various research phenomena. Using the process research methodology, I can grasp these phenomena' dynamic and ever-changing nature. For instance, the constantly shifting requirements of diverse stakeholders and complementors in the Mpesa ecosystem initiatives, shifts in market competition among the platform and banks circumstances, the adoption of new technology, and the evolution of regulations are all examples. Understanding this methodology allows one to effectively monitor phenomena' progress, alterations, and intricate nuances. This understanding aids in developing fresh theoretical insights based on the context, distinguishing it from cross-sectional studies.

For personal reasons, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend two consultative meetings with Prof. Ann Langley and Davide. The opportunity to converse with people I was only familiar with through reading their high-ranking journal publications was indeed a privilege. Having esteemed scholars review my work and provide genuine feedback was a remarkable experience. I found Prof. Ann's assistance in understanding the intricate mobile money ecosystem invaluable. Thanks to her guidance, I now feel more confident interpreting the data. Although I attended summer school, there is still much for me to learn. Your assistance in funding my summer school attendance was a crucial initial step towards grasping the intricacies of practice research. I am truly grateful for your assistance and the opportunity you provided me to attend summer school. I am fully committed to developing my understanding and expertise in practice research.

It's time for a community of African practice scholars to embrace and advance research processes and practices. The contextual nuances of Africa play a critical role in shaping our business environments. These approaches help us to have a deeper understanding of organization dynamics and how an organization adopts, functions, and evolves, revealing how unique cultural, economic, and institutional factors influence organizational behavior. Hence, we can contribute significantly to developing and refining management knowledge by exploring how processes and practices unfold and what influences them. This helps us to develop more nuanced and contextually relevant theories. Hence, our context offers an original contribution to global management knowledge theory, challenging, refining, extending, or proposing new frameworks. These approaches will also help us identify solutions to specific regional challenges, such as navigating complex regulatory environments, managing resource constraints, or adapting to rapid market changes, technological change, and climate change. However, we must learn to learn, create, adopt, and share knowledge with each other. As an early-career researcher, I ask all who have knowledge or have researched this area to make expertise accessible to others. It will take time, but eventually, by developing new knowledge as a community and adopting the African philosophy of Ubuntu (I am because we are) or the Kenyan Harambee spirit (pulling together in unity), we can better understand the phenomena around us. This philosophy (Ubuntu and Harembee spirit) reflects a deeper belief in the strength of the community and the potential of shared efforts.