The Impact of Strategic Practice Maturity on Arab States' Performance

Abstract

This chapter introduces the development of strategic management as a formal discipline and provides an overview of strategic management concepts, models, and best practices, highlighting the difference between strategic thinking, planning, and management. It then zooms into the current strategic practice in different Arab countries to formulate a reasonable understanding of the effectiveness of such practice in serving governments and organizations to achieve their national strategic goals and objectives. The study employs a mix of research and evaluation tools, derived from the literature and best practices, to assess the maturity levels of the adopted strategic practice by Arab states and examines its relationship to and impact on government performance, in particular that which is related to achieving social justice, sustainable development, and democracy. In conclusion, the outcome of the investigation is used to suggest solutions to drive improvement to the current strategic practice in the Arab world.