Monitoring the Environment: A Multiple Case Study
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
To keep their strategy aligned with market conditions, companies need to have a clear idea of trends and potential changes occurring in their environment. Relying on structured interviews with top and middle managers of two organizations, we explored how these managers define their environment and process data about it to make strategic decisions.
Environment monitoring is only partially formalized and structured. The different practices and tools, however, make the company better informed about the ongoing changes. Three main lessons emerged. First, top management increases its involvement as soon as the situation becomes particularly urgent. Second, when the legitimacy of the strategy is at stake, the diversity of people reflecting on the issue increases. Third, information channels are more structured and disciplined when assessing the power (nuisance capacity) of an actor of the environment.
Environment monitoring is only partially formalized and structured. The different practices and tools, however, make the company better informed about the ongoing changes. Three main lessons emerged. First, top management increases its involvement as soon as the situation becomes particularly urgent. Second, when the legitimacy of the strategy is at stake, the diversity of people reflecting on the issue increases. Third, information channels are more structured and disciplined when assessing the power (nuisance capacity) of an actor of the environment.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Event Title
Strategic Management Society Special Conference, Hits and Misses: Strategic Decisions in an Uncertain World
Event Location
Frankfurt, Germany
Event Date
2019
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
mael.schnegg@unisg.ch
Eprints ID
258618