Strategic Management Theory Research Articles

Grassroots innovations in community-led housing in England: the role and evolution of intermediaries

ABSTRACTThe paper aims to take forward recent research concerning the development of grassroots innovations and sustainability transitions in housing. We introduce and empirically assess a multi-level, process-oriented framework informed by strategic niche management (SNM) and social capital theory. Drawing on qualitative data, the empirical part explores the emergence of community-led housing (CLH) in England as a grassroots-based housing niche which operates in a context of market dysfunction. The paper offers further conceptual development of the role of intermediaries in grassroots niche building. Our findings suggest an evolution from independent sub-niche umbrellas to broader-based intermediaries to leverage and consolidate different sustainability practices in the niche. The results question an unadapted application of the simplistic growth-oriented SNM approach advocating for strategic coherence. In particular, our analysis shows that the development of broader-based intermediary organisations is driven by short-term government funding and carefully preserves the diversity of approaches and identities within the niche.

Entrepreneurial Learning, Entrepreneurial Strategy and the Competitive Advantage of New Ventures

Based on the unique disadvantaged background of new ventures, we analyze the key factors affecting the competitive advantage of new ventures. Learning from the experiential learning theory and the strategic management theory, we construct the mechanism model of the influence of entrepreneurial learning on the competitive advantage of new ventures, and propose the role of entrepreneurial strategy in this influencing process, to reveal systematically the intrinsic relationship between entrepreneurial learning, entrepreneurial strategy and the competitive advantage of new ventures. The following conclusions are obtained by validating relevant models and hypotheses through the data analysis of 115 valid samples in Beijing and Shanghai.（1）Entrepreneurial learning includes two types, namely, experiential learning and observational learning, both of which have a positive impact on the competitive advantage of new ventures.（2）Different types of entrepreneurial strategy have different influences on the competitive advantage of new ventures. Under the unfavorable conditions such as the shortage of resources, exploitative strategy is more helpful for new ventures to gain the competitive advantage. However, the empirical analysis shows that new ventures’ implementation of exploratory strategy has no significant effect on its competitive advantage.（3）The empirical analysis of this study shows that exploitative strategy plays a mediating role between experiential learning, observational learning and the competitive advantage of new ventures. However, the mediating role of exploratory strategy between entrepreneurial learning and the competitive advantage of new ventures is not significant. This study integrates the relevant theories of entrepreneurial learning and strategic management, discusses the impact of entrepreneurial learning on the competitive advantage of new ventures, and analyzes the path mechanism of entrepreneurial strategy in the process of entrepreneurial learning affecting the competitive advantage of new ventures, thus making up for the lack of relevant theoretical research. The theoretical contribution of this research is reflected in the following three aspects:（1）We reveal the impact of entrepreneurial learning on the competitive advantage of new ventures. The existing research mainly analyzes from the perspective of strategic management and focuses on how large enterprises obtain the competitive advantage through the strategic process. Less research is based on the characteristics of new ventures and the perspective of learning behavior to explore how new ventures can gain the competitive advantage.（2）We explore the role of entrepreneurial learning in entrepreneurial strategy. Most studies on entrepreneurial strategy have focused on exploring their impact on enterprises’ development, ignoring what factors contribute to the formation of entrepreneurial strategy of new ventures.（3）Based on the intermediary variable of entrepreneurial strategy, the indirect effect of entrepreneurial learning on the competitive advantage of new ventures has been explained. This conclusion helps to guide Chinese entrepreneurs to adopt a reasonable learning path in a highly uncertain environment, effectively use the internal and external knowledge of new ventures, and thus use the matching entrepreneurial strategy to survive and compete in the fierce market to get a relative advantage.

A Typology of Cost Accounting Practices Based on Activity-Based Costing – A Strategic Cost Management Approach

This article examines cost accounting methods containing one or more activity-based costing (ABC) like dimensions. The objective is to analyze cost accounting proposals with, in part, a philosophy reminiscent ABC. The research purposes are to analyze the strategic dimension of the methods described and to build a typology useful for managers. The discussion leads to a four-dimensional typology based on three strategic objectives assigned to the cost accounting systems. The foundation of the research is the Strategic Cost Management Theory from which emerges the ABC philosophy. The methodology applied is an academic and professional literature review. The typology designed shows common points and similarities of the methods observed and their strategic dimensions. Some of the methods studied are more or less useful for practitioners, according to the situation of their companies. Keywords: strategic cost management, activity-based costing, typology

GENERATING INTANGIBLE RESOURCE AND INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE: INSIGHTS INTO ENTERPRISES ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND CAPABILITY AT TRADE SHOWS

This paper helps to achieve a better understanding of the relationships among organizational behaviors, capabilities and the intangible resources of firms as a micro-level origin of the internationalization of enterprises. The resource-based view, strategic management theory, knowledge absorption and establishment practice, trade show issues and model theory development are integrated and implications offered for both scholars and practitioners. It integrates a research model based on trade show practices, and concentrates on the experimental conditions targeted by the respondents. The mediating roles of enterprises’ intangible resources are also discussed. Based on a sample of trade development groups, 256 completed questionnaires were used to examine the hypotheses. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation models. The findings show that relationship building positively influences relationship performance. The relationship performance has a significant mediating role on the effects of information sharing on international performance. Moreover, commitment to learning and high absorptive capacity of a firm determines the innovation performance of firms and contributes to their international performance.

BUSINESS-PLANNING OF ENTERPRISE PRODUCT PROMOTION COMPLEX IN INTERNET

Given paper is devoted to the substantiation of the structure and development of a business-plan for promoting the company on the Internet, using modern digital marketing tools for obtaining commercial and social benefits. The results are based on the methodology of strategic management, marketing and competitiveness theory. The structural characteristic of the business plan was obtained by summarizing the experience of consulting firms. The business plan reveals the essence of products (services) production process, contains the characteristics of a market audience, a description of the stages of the technological process, a list of basic technological equipment, indicative project cost, production output and labor costs, marketing plan, presented the project results of the implementation of the business plan. Obtained results allowed proposing further business development strategy and concept of activity after the project implementation. The content of the social effect from the implementation of the business plan is separately disclosed. The analysis of profitability shows that for 1 spent UAH will have an income of 6.3 UAH, and the payback period of the project will be 2.5 months taking in to account the fulfillment of the constraints.

The relationship between network capabilities and innovation performance

PurposeInnovation networks provide an efficient mechanism for organizations to realize their potential for knowledge learning and innovation improvement. Firms situated within innovation networks require specific abilities to acquire the knowledge and the complementary assets that facilitate their innovation performance. Motivated by recent research studies in the area of social network and RBV, the purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the precise manner in which network capability affects a firm’s innovation performance.Design/methodology/approachBased on the data obtained from Chinese high-tech firms, the hypotheses are tested by using hierarchical multiple regressions.FindingsThis study identifies two types of network capabilities: network structural capability and network relational capability. The findings suggest that network structural capability has a greater positive impact on innovation performance than network relational capability does within an exploration-orientated network. However, network relational capability is more positively associated with innovation performance within an exploitation-orientated network.Practical implicationsA firm can enhance the value of its ego network by shaping and adjusting network configurations, rather than by passively reaping the benefits from existing relationships or ties with partners.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to strategic management theory and social network theory by illustrating how a networked firm can enable network value and appropriate this value according to its strategic purposes and by suggesting that a firm can improve its ego network’s value through exerting its network capabilities to shape and adjust network configurations. This paper also advances the contingent approach within social network research by offering a new complementary perspective and new evidence from a Chinese context.

High Performance Work Systems and Innovation Outcomes

Theories of innovation and strategic management highlight the role of distinctive capabilities in creating and sustaining a firm’s competitive advantage. Of concern has been understanding the micro...

Strategic management in the process of construction of systems of economic protection of the results of activities of agro-business entities

Purpose. The aim of the article is generalization of the conceptual foundations of strategic management to ensure the economic security of the enterprise in the process of building systems of economic protection of the results of activities of agro-business subjects as an effective mechanism for counteracting external and internal threats. Methodology of research. Scientific methods are used in the writing of the articles, in particular: theoretical generalization – to understand key theories of strategic management; synthesis and analysis – to detail the systems of economic protection of the results of the activity of the subjects of agribusiness as an object of research by its breakdown into parts; abstract and logical method – during the study of the structure of the components of the system of economic protection of the results of the enterprises. Findings. The toolkit of economic protection of agribusiness entities, which can be further transformed and supplemented according to the research of the peculiarities of functioning of their activity in the current market conditions, is investigated. It is substantiated that economic protection of the results of the enterprise activity should include a system of diagnostics and risk management, which will further ensure within the enterprise itself to make prompt decisions on strategic risk management both internal and external environment. The scheme of risk management in the system of economic protection of investment activities of agribusiness entities is proposed. The systems of economic protection of the results of activity of enterprises are improved. Originality. The main criteria of efficiency of economic protection of interests and results of activity of subjects of agro-business in the long term are substantiated: profitability of own capital and economic equilibrium, which characterizes rationality and prudence of management of economic resources and creates a basis for achievement of strategic goals of the enterprise in the long term. Practical value. The introduction of the proposed research results into the activities of agribusiness entities for the use of conceptual principles of strategic planning will contribute to the establishment of a system of economic protection of the results of business activity and dynamic development. Key words: strategic management; risk; threat; protection; result; economic security; management system; enterprise.

Fostering longevity attitudes in women expatriates: the role of general and targeted types of organizational support

Although organizational support has long been considered a cornerstone of expatriate success, more research is needed to understand how different types of support affect the career outcomes of women expatriates. We draw on strategic human resource management theory to show that organizations interested in gaining or maintaining a strategic competitive advantage should attend to the under-representation of women expatriates. We posit that general (i.e. perceived organizational support [POS]) and targeted (i.e. organizational cultural intelligence [OCQ], family-supportive work perceptions [FSOP]) support perceptions can foster a strategic advantage by addressing the barriers barring women from expatriate assignments. We use two samples to test a model wherein general and targeted support perceptions increase three longevity attitudes (i.e. commitment, career satisfaction, and community embeddedness) through adjustment. Results showed that POS did not significantly increase adjustment and subsequent longevity attitudes for men or women. Then, OCQ aided male employees’ adjustment (as did FSOP to a lesser degree), leading to heightened commitment, career satisfaction, and community embeddedness. Women, in contrast, were aided by FSOP, but not OCQ.

MANAJEMEN STRATEGI PEMERINTAH DAERAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN INVESTASI PADA CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT DI KABUPATEN KEDIRI

District/ city regional governments need to seek equal investment and income with other District/ City regions to avoid disparity/ inequality. This study uses strategic management theory and good governance. The research method in this text uses qualitative methods. The Government of Kediri Regency develops its territory to be used as a place of investment by building Gumul Lima Junction Kediri Regency. This effort was carried out with the 2012 KPM (Investment Office) work program. In the work program there was management at KPM in the form of planning, organizing, actuating and controlling. KPM implements strategy management, one of the strategy management tools through SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats). So far, investors in SLG are still one investor, namely PT. Gumul Paradise Island. This is because it is difficult to get investors because it competes with Kediri City which is more strategically located. KPM in implementing strategic management uses SWOT analysis. Analysis is done by knowing the successes, failures, inhibiting factors, and supporting factors of the organization in carrying out its duties. After that, KPM gets a solution to the problems faced and can carry out the planning and development of work programs to face the challenges ahead. Establishing an atmosphere that is conducive to investing, investors need good and easy services in investing. This research was carried out in 2012, an interesting theme for further research on the development of investment in Kediri Regency.

Work–life programs and performance in Australian organisations: the role of organisation size and industry type

Organisations are increasingly using work–life programs to strategically manage their workforce in a competitive labour market. Extant research has investigated various outcomes of work–life programs but has lacked focus on organisational financial performance and context. Drawing on strategic human resource management theory, this study proposes and tests a work–life programs–performance relationship. It also investigates the moderating effects of organisation size and industry on the work–life programs–performance relationship. We used a time‐lagged design and data from multiple sources to link work–life programs with firm performance in 117 organisations in Australia. The findings support the hypothesis that work–life programs are positively associated with financial performance. This study also provides pioneering evidence for the moderating effects of organisation size and industry type on the work–life programs–organisational performance relationship.

Does Political Turbulence Encourage Fight or Flight for Federal Employees? Examining Political Environments and Turnover Intent

In a volatile political climate where agencies often become the stage for partisan battles, career employees pay the price for increased political attention to agencies. This study seeks to understand how contentious political environments contribute to employee turnover intent. It draws on strategic management and systems theories that link resource turbulence to management changes and employee turnover. The question is important to address because career bureaucrats are critical to government performance as both policy makers and implementers. Individual-level data are paired with organizational-level data to assess how political environments influence turnover preferences. Other aspects of an agency’s political environment (age, design, ideology, and political appointees) are also tested. The analysis shows that budget volatility increases the intent to leave, but staffing volatility increases intent to move within government. All political environment variables except ideology affected intent to change jobs.

High performance work practices, organizational performance and strategic thinking

PurposeDrawing on a number of strategic management theories, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between strategic thinking (in other words, systems perspective, focused intent, intelligent opportunism, thinking in time and hypothesis-driven analysis) and organizational performance. It also investigates whether the notion and content of high performance work practices, as identified in developed countries, can be used to amplify the effects of strategic thinking within the banking industry in a developing country.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing cross-sectional data obtained from commercial banks in Jordan, this paper applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the banking sector in a developing country. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires.FindingsAccording to the results, focused intent, intelligent opportunism, thinking in time and hypothesis-driven analysis have positive impacts on organizational performance, except when considered from the systems perspective. Consequently, high performance work practices were found to only moderate the relationship between focused intent, intelligent opportunism, thinking in time and organizational performance.Originality/valueThe authors examined the impact of strategic thinking on the organizational performance through the moderation role of high performance work practices. The results of this paper extend the existing literature by providing evidence from Jordan, a developing country outside of the western world.

Strategic entrepreneurship: A management method for improving the performance of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs)

With the increasing role of tourism in the global economy, many countries regard it as an effective tool for comprehensive development, a source of substantial foreign exchange revenues and a contributor to job creation. In this context, there is a growing interest in the performance and management methods of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) viewed as the main component of the tourist destination. The paper examines SMTEs by studying their specificity and both external and internal factors affecting their performance. Methodologically the article relies on the theories of strategic management and entrepreneurship. It focuses on the role of a tourism destination where a tourism company operates. The article also looks at strategic entrepreneurship (SE) as a promising management method suitable for running SMTEs. The study finds that there is a certain balance between SE and the factors affecting the performance of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. Thus, the application of SE in SMTEs enables managers and owners of such enterprises to overcome various challenges and shortcomings experienced and to exploit their resources in a way that delivers the best possible performance.

Analysis of trends and performance of CSR mining companies

Concept of social responsibility has become part of the strategic management theory; interaction with stakeholders is becoming an object of control, the categories of relationship and social capital are being formed and developed, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) is morphing into corporate responsibility. This modern approach is aimed at creating a relationship of trust with stakeholders, which helps to contribute to the development of both the local community and the country, as well as to the sustainable development of both the company and the national economy. The main characteristics of mining companies operating in mineral-extracting countries are their significant contribution to GDP and tax revenues, the influence of many unfavourable factors on the workers and the need to compensate for their effects, and a high level of human impact on the environment. All this determines the importance of ensuring their sustainable development and designing a strategy and mechanisms of interaction with society based on corporate social responsibility. The purpose of the study is to justify a systematic approach to corporate responsibility management in the development strategies of mining companies. In the article examines the position of CSR in the activities of mining companies, justifies the need for the transition to a proactive approach in the field of managing corporate social responsibility of mining companies.

Economic characteristics of pig breeding in Russia

The article presents the results of analytical studies of the main economic characteristics of pig production in Russia. Theoretical and methodological basis was developed according to the works on the theory of strategic management. The information base for the study was formed upon the data from the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia, National Union of Swine Breeders, AFK Group of Companies (St. Petersburg), expert-analytical center of agribusiness (Maykop), annual reports of the largest Russian agricultural holdings. On the whole, the industry is attractive in terms of opportunities for development and viability of investment. Annual production volumes are 3.5 million tons of pork in slaughter weight, or about 300-400 billion rubles. The market is growing at a rate of at least 5% per year, but growth rates are slowing. The industry is highly consolidated; 20 large vertically integrated holdings provide 62% of output. Pig products are standardized and intended for further processing; price competition prevails in the markets. Self-sufficiency in domestic products has exceeded 90% in recent years. The share of import has significantly decreased. The industry is characterized by high capital intensity; the cost of investment projects is estimated in the billions of rubles. Innovative development of pig production in Russia has been adopting imported technologies and developments. The level of dependence on imported machinery and equipment, breeding materials, feed additives and veterinary drugs is critical. The industry is attractive upon profitability criterion (industry profitability rate is above the average for the economy).

Strategic management perspectives on supply chain

In the second decade of the twenty-first century, supply chain management (SCM) practices have gained an increasingly strategic character. The focus has shifted from an operational perspective to a strategic one, and SCM is repeatedly cited in the literature as a strategic management tool with a profound effect on the survival of the organizations. SCM domain is well-supported to be closely linked with a number of strategic management views and theories. This study investigates the main strategic management views and theories relevant to SCM and their interactions. It reveals how they complementarily explain supply chain management characteristics of being customer-driven, process-oriented, global, strategically coupled, complex, dynamic, adaptive, multi-agent, IT-intensive, value creating, collaborative and networked. Based on a comprehensive literature taxonomy, a mapping of the main supply chain characteristics to these management views and theories is provided. A conceptual clustering of different management perspectives is developed, and their interactions are analyzed.

Fifty Years of the Strategic Trade-Offs Model: In Memory and Honor of Wickham Skinner

In 1969, Professor Wickham Skinner, whom many consider as “the father of manufacturing strategy,” published a seminal paper entitled “Manufacturing—Missing Link in Corporate Strategy.” Among the many interesting insights outlined in that article, Skinner is particularly careful to explain the importance of acknowledging the existence of specific trade-offs in the design of production systems. For example, he warns that a failure on the part of executives to recognize the limitations and compromises that are inherent to all technology and human based systems will inevitably result in a diminished ability of firms to compete successfully in the marketplace. Fifty years after the publication of that influential paper, we reassess some of Professor Skinner's contributions to the theory and practice of strategic operations management. In particular, we put forth the argument that strategic trade-offs in the operations of firms is a concept that is still—and will continue to be—important and relevant to practitioners worldwide.

Fourteen local governance initiatives in greenspace in urban areas in the Netherlands. Discourses, success and failure factors, and the perspectives of local authorities

This article covers two years of research into the factors that determine the success or failure of initiatives taken by companies, citizens or municipalities in or for greenspace in urban regions in the Netherlands. The researchers investigated fourteen initiatives and selected five of them for more exhaustive case studies. Semi-open interviews were conducted with initiators, local government officers, elected municipal councillors and members of the municipal executive board. Websites and policy documents were also studied and initiatives were visited.The study uses the policy arrangement approach which identifies actors and their coalitions, discourses, resources, and rules and regulations. The research investigates the development of the initiatives, the initiators’ ambitions, and identifies the success and failure factors, local government involvement and views of the latter on how to approach societal initiatives in general. Do local authorities perceive a transition in the way their municipalities address societal initiatives? A short reflection on the applicability of change theories completes the research: Strategic Niche Management theory and change theory according to the Policy Arrangement Approach.This review of initiatives combined with case study research provides in depth insights into the relations that exist or may develop around initiatives in greenspace. The research showed that the initiatives lead to a broader meaning and involvement of more actors around green spaces. They integrate greenspace with social and economic development. The greenspace which the initiatives develop includes among others vegetable production, letting out of greenspace for yoga or to schools, and wadis. Among the factors of success are the agreement with the municipality and whether the discourse is in tune with the current social climate. A failure factor is e.g. that ‘green space has no value’ compared to the value of land and buildings accrued by municipal real estate development, according to citizens and local officers.The article contains recommendations to local governments and prospects for further research. Pragmatism, and thinking together with the initiators about how to turn an initiative into a success are part of these recommendations. The involvement of more actors and the broader meaning and integration of greenspace with social and economic development is possibly making it more resistant to building. This deserves investigation.

Theory development process and the fundamental explananda of strategy

The purpose of this essay is an exploration of the current scientific status of the Strategic Management field. This essay is an attempt to open up the debate within the philosophy of strategy science, which means that the aim is to clarify critical issues related to research rather than explaining strategic phenomena. Hempel and Oppenheim’s (1948) description of explanation is the chosen framework structure as it involves the constitutive elements of a theory, as well as providing a synthesis of these elements in a single explanandum. Five main phenomena are described as the fundamental explananda, namely: (i) competitive advantage; (ii) strategic levels; (iii) the strategic process; (iv) strategy implementation; and (v) social outcomes. Relationships between these elements are assessed and commented. The paper’s purpose is not to describe a general theory of strategic management, but to induce scholars to question certain issues.