Patterns in Strategy Formation

Abstract

The literature on strategy formation is in large part theoretical but not empirical, and the usual definition of "strategy" encourages the notion that strategies, as we recognize them ex post facto, are deliberate plans conceived in advance of the making of specific decisions. By defining a strategy as "a pattern in a stream of decisions," we are able to research strategy formation in a broad descriptive context. Specifically, we can study both strategies that were intended and those that were, realized .despite intentions. A research program suggested by this definition is outlined, and two of the completed studies are then reviewed--the strategies of Volkswagenwerk from 1934 to 1974 and of the United States government in Vietnam from 1950 to 1973. Some general conclusions suggested by these studies are then presented in terms of three central themes: that strategy formation can fruitfully be viewed as the interplay between a dynamic environment and bureaucratic momentum, with leadership mediating between the two forces; that strategy formation over time appears to follow some important patterns in organizations, notably life cycles and distinct change-continuity cycles within these; and that the study of the interplay between intended and realized strategies may lead us to the heart of this, complex organizational process.

The relationship between remuneration and financial performance for companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

“…It is important to note that, to gain the full potential of performance measures, consistency within the implementation of these measures is needed. As Mintzberg (1978) emphasised, strategies can be realised only through the consistency of actions.…”

Formulação e Execução de Estratégias Políticas no Setor de Etanol: Um Modelo Processual

“…Trabalhos clássicos, como os de Mintzberg (1978), Quinn (Mintzberg & Quinn, 1998) e Van De Ven (1992), formam as bases conceituais desta corrente.…”

“…A popularidade deste assunto de pesquisa resultou num largo campo considerado fragmentado (Hutzschenreuter & Kleindienst, 2006), com diversas correntes de discussão específicas, entre elas, a discussão do sentido do nascimento das iniciativas estratégicas (Burgelman, 1983;Mintzberg, 1978;Noda & Bower, 1996) ou, ainda, o conjunto de discussões a respeito dos modos de pesquisa sobre processo estratégico (Pettigrew, 1992;Van De Ven, 1992).…”

“…A maioria dos artigos que estuda a relação entre estratégias políticas e desempenho encontra pouca ou nenhuma relação (Hillman et al, 2004;Lux et al, 2011). No segundo caso, ao entender a natureza da formulação e execução das estratégias políticas, pode-se estudar se este processo é fundamentalmente semelhante ao processo de formulação e execução estratégica (Hutzschenreuter & Kleindienst, 2006;Mintzberg, 1978;Pettigrew, 1992). A maioria dos estudos em estratégias políticas, implicitamente, leva esta semelhança em consideração, mesmo que os detalhes não tenham sido estudados e comparados.…”

La gerencia como actividad emprendedora: la internacionalización de la empresa argentina Siderca (1960-1996)

“…El hecho de que el mismo grupo gerencial medio que implementó la estrategia fuera el que también tuvo una distinta visión del negocio industrial y la diseñara, nos sugiere, en consonancia con Mintzberg (1978), la imposibilidad de discernir taxativamente entre acción y cognición en lo que se refiere al proceso de formación estratégica. Por lo tanto, esa pareció ser la consecuencia de una serie de decisiones donde se combinaba implíci-tamente acción y cognición.…”