A STUDY OF ORGANIZATIONAL ‘FRAMEWORK’ AND ‘PROCESS’ MODALITIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUSINESS‐LEVEL STRATEGIC DECISIONS*

Abstract : Based on structuration theory, organization framework and process are proposed as two modalities for implementing intended business-level strategies. A model is developed in which the components of these two modalities and related to the implementation of low cost and differentiation strategies. The implementation of fifty-seven strategies in integrated circuits, petroleum, and health care firms are used to test the research hypotheses. The findings suggest that strategy implementation in these firms utilized both framework and process structural elements, but that a different implementation gestalt characterized each strategy. Implications for strategy implementation and for structuration theory are discussed.

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