Learning Outcomes For This Chapter:: Chapter Four - A Process Perspective of Strategic Management
Learning Outcomes For This Chapter:: Chapter Four - A Process Perspective of Strategic Management
Learning Outcomes For This Chapter:: Chapter Four - A Process Perspective of Strategic Management
1. Strategy formulation – conceptual stage that includes environmental analysis and strategy
formulation
2. Strategy implementation – all staff in the organisation are tasked with implementing the
formulated objectives
3. Strategic control – monitor progress of strategic objective implementation and provide
feedback
It provides direction
It guides organisational efforts towards achieving the same goal
It binds organisation members to work together towards achieving the organisations goals
It communicates to internal and external stakeholders what the organisation wants to
achieve
It guides decision making
It distinguishes the organisation from other organisations
It promotes a sense of shared expectations
It contributes to synergy among managers and employees
1
Some guidelines for vision statements include:
It should present a clear picture of a desirable future, something towards which the
organisation and its members can aspire towards
It should guide decision making but be flexible enough to so that the organisation can
respond to changes in the environment
It should be easy to communicate, easy to explain and easy to understand
The mission statement is also referred to as the purpose statement of the organisation, what it
does and why it exists, it builds on the vision statement . The three components of a mission
statement include: product, market and technology.
Further, a well articulated mission statement should include the following components:
What is the correct process for formulating a mission statement? Perhaps do the following:
Strategic goals are generally measured in terms of time, money and units – in addition they are
SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely)
1. Financial – to succeed financially what does the organisation need to achieve and how
should it appear to its shareholders, eg: return on equity goals
2. Customer – to ensure organisations gain loyal customers, how do they want to be perceived
by their customers, eg: more innovative product development
3. Learning and growth – focus on sustainable growth, value creation and innovation to change
and improve the organisation, eg: retain valuable customers
4. Business process perspective – focus on core capabilities and areas where the organisation
must excel in order to be competitive, eg: reduce waste in the manufacturing process
Continuous environmental scanning of the internal and external environment needs to take place
and opportunities that could be exploited need to be identified. Threats that may stop the
organisation from achieving its objectives need to be monitored. Key organisational strengths and
weaknesses should be understood and balanced against each other.
2
Some additional points from Ch 5 which are relevant to note in understanding strategy:
Strategies can be set by top managers, boards of directors, middle managers and/or
consultants.
Strategies can be deliberate or emergent, deliberate strategies are implemented and
realised as intended whereas emergent strategies are those implemented by middle
managers and are adapted as they are implemented (middle managers are involved in
operations and can make changes as they go along and as the environment dictates).