'Next in Line': A Framework for Ensuring Effective Executive Succession in Namibian Commercial Public Enterprises

This study was conducted to gain first-hand insight into the attitudes, beliefs, values, and experiences of the targeted managers regarding executive leadership succession planning and its implementation in Namibia’s commercial public enterprises. The primary data collection for this study was qualita- tive and quantitative. The total population of the study was 63 participants, derived from 22 com- mercial public enterprises. The study developed a succession management framework for Namibian organizations called the Muadinohamba succession development progression framework, a tool for planning leadership succession in Namibian companies. The framework’s elements include mak- ing succession planning a key performance metric, setting a mandated retirement age, educating managers on succession practices, and providing a structured succession process. This study sug- gests that, in addition to researching leadership, companies within a specific cultural context should research leadership succession plans and implementation processes due to existential differences.