Strategy made simple: Thinking in threes

Robert W. Keidel

Business Horizons, 2013, vol. 56, issue 1, 105-111

Abstract: In this increasingly complex world, managers understandably seek experts’ advice to chart a path forward. Yet they encounter a jumble of metaphors, methods, and models; too often, old wine in new bottles. This article helps managers cut through the clutter. It presents a triangular framework which integrates concepts that, despite contrasting language, are more similar than different. The schema is based on the three kinds of Venn diagram: disjunction, containment, and intersection. Disjunction implies autonomy; containment, control; and intersection, cooperation. Every organizational strategy is a balance of these three variables. Once the triadic pattern has been grasped, managers can ‘speed-read’ the literatures on strategy, technology/organization, mergers and acquisitions, and cognition—as well as see parallels across these writings. They also become better able to address strategic issues systemically and efficiently, and to communicate to a wide organizational audience.

Keywords: Strategy; Strategic management; Thinking; Organizations; Technology framework; Mental model; Occam's Razor; Mergers and acquisitions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:bushor:v:56:y:2013:i:1:p:105-111

DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2012.09.007

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