Adapting adaptation: Expanding adaptive strategy theory to account for the East Asian business context

Randy Fowler, Hanna Gajewska-De Mattos and Malcolm Chapman

Journal of World Business, 2018, vol. 53, issue 3, 323-336

Abstract: This paper extends international business theory by providing insights into contextual boundaries of the dominant strategic adaptation model, based on assumptions of low power distance and a bottom-up management style. We challenge them by examining the context of Asian organizations with contrasting management style and ask how it is possible for them to adapt. We propose a supplementary “top-down” model of adaptation, supported by empirical data from East Asian organizations. The model involves low autonomy of lower- and middle-level managers, but fluid communication from bottom to top, enabling informed but authoritarian adaptive decision-making exclusively at the behest of top management.

Keywords: Context; National culture; East Asian business environment; Strategic adaptation; Emergent strategy; Power distance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:worbus:v:53:y:2018:i:3:p:323-336

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DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2017.06.008

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