Enterprises’ Sensitivity to the Environment from the Perspective of Competitive Advantage – Research Results

Abstract

The aim of this article is to define strategic sensitivity through characteristic features and abilities, and to determine strategic sensitivity from the perspective of competitive advantage. The aim is achieved both in the form of theoretical discussion, and empirically, in the presentation of research results. After an analysis and review of literature, the definition of strategic sensitivity and the context in which it is used is presented in the first part of the study. The basis for the empirical conclusions is the quantitative research carried out in May and June 2017 on a sample of 424 medium-sized and large companies in Poland. The paper’s contribution to the body of knowledge lies in a comprehensive literature study in the field of strategic sensitivity and in inspecting the relationship between strategic sensitivity and competitive advantage. The paper contains descriptive research aimed at measuring strategic sensitivity and determining the level and importance of individual indicators explaining measures of strategic sensitivity. It also presents opinions of respondents on the occurrence of individual features in the surveyed companies that affect their ability to adapt to the changing environment. On the basis of the results obtained, correlation relationships between particular dimensions of strategic sensitivity and competitive advantage have been analysed. It transpires that the vast majority of analysed relationships can be considered unclear. Nevertheless, several unambiguous correlations were found, among others those between the durability of cooperation with stakeholders other than customers, and indicators relating to the ability to identify and assess opportunities.