Strategic Management: History & Strategy

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Question one, Part a: 1. These historical inputs are recognised and understood by the phrase “the way we do things around here” or the way business is now. History is the fusion and creation of internal and external cultural factors from the past that define the paradigm and the context through which strategies have been developed by decision makers within the company. History is the antecedents to strategy development that include embedded, stories, symbols, power, structure, controls, rituals and routines (refer appendix 1). Identifying historical context has the benefit of allowing businesses to develop strategies while avoiding recency bias and as a reference point to legitimise future strategies based on past successes. It allows business to develop strategy scenarios based on adaptations of past situations with different variables and to innovate based on historical competencies. This combination of historical actions, thoughts and procedures form a path dependency that is the confine through which strategy develops and this impacts on subsequent outcomes or the way business wants to be (Johnson, Whittington, Scholes, 2011). Historical path dependency may leave business in a difficult position as it tries to balance between holding onto skills, core values and stakeholder confidence as the dynamism of the business environment increases at an increasing rate (Reuters, 2011). The ability to make the balance between historical competencies and adapt them to future benefits will impact on the successful outcomes, or otherwise, of future strategic choices (Chi, Kilduff & Gargeya, 2009). Strategy is not a stand alone entity but is emergent synthesis from a combination of historical and future contingencies, attitudes, capabilitie... ... middle of paper ... ...mance, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 58 No. 7, pp. 645-669 (Emerald Group Publishing) viewed 9 September 2011. Dictionary.com, 2011, Legitimacy, viewed 10 September 2011, < http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/legitimacy> Johnson, G, Whittington & R, Scholes, K, 2011, “Exploring Strategy”, Prentice Hall, London. Marketingteacher.com, 2011, Generic Strategies - Michael Porter (1980), viewed 10 September 2011, < http://marketingteacher.com/lesson-store/lesson-generic-strategies.html> Reuters.com, 2011, “Market volatility dampens small business growth”, viewed 9 September 2011, oxfordcollegeofmarketing.com, 2011, From objectives to strategy, viewed 9 September 10, 2011,

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