The Strategy Pathfinder Core Concepts and Live Cases

Real-world strategic management practice in an interactive micro-case format

The Strategy Pathfinder presents an innovative, dynamic guide to strategic thinking and practice. Using real-world case examples from companies like Apple, the BBC, Hyundai, LEGO, McDonalds, Nike and SpaceX to illustrate critical concepts, this book enables readers to actively participate in real-world strategy dilemmas and create their own solutions. Strategy Pathfinder’s ‘live’ micro-cases provoke discussion about business models, value creation, new ventures and more, while its complimentary instructional content introduces you to the best ‘classic’ and new tools of strategic management.

Rather than passively reproducing past and current ideas, Strategy Pathfinder encourages strategic thinkers to learn by doing. The book is designed to help the reader to develop a clear understanding of key concepts while shifting your thought processes towards real strategic action and innovation by enabling you to:

• Use strategy theories and frameworks to engage in analytical and creative discussions about key strategic issues facing real companies today
• Form strategic views for yourself, and test them against the views of others
• Effectively make and communicate recommendations based on solid strategic analysis that stand up to scrutiny from multiple stakeholders

• Become an active producer of new strategic ideas rather than a passive receiver of past wisdom

This third edition has been updated with new chapters and cases to reflect the latest, cutting-edge issues in strategic thinking and practice.  And the updated companion website offers students, instructors and managers more resources to facilitate understanding, interaction and innovation.

As an active learning experience, The Strategy Pathfinder 3^rd Edition engages the reader in the work of strategy practitioners. By arming you with the empirical research you need, and the best strategic management theories and frameworks to better analyse situations you're likely to encounter or already facing in your career, The Strategy Pathfinder teaches you how to improve your strategic thinking and practice, and develop your own strategic pathways for the future.

DUNCAN ANGWIN is the Sir Roland Smith Professor of Strategic Management, Head of the Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation Department, and Head of the Strategic Management Group at Lancaster University, UK.

STEPHEN CUMMINGS is Professor of Strategy and Innovation at Victoria Business School, Wellington, New Zealand; an Academic Fellow at the Institute of Management Consultants; and an NZC Research Fellow at Peking University, Beijing.

The Strategy Pathfinder Map ix

Pathways to Strategy xv

About the Creators xxii

Chapter 1 Strategic Purpose 1

PART I THE STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT

Chapter 2 Macro-Shocks 37

Chapter 3 Industry Forces 73

PART II STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE

Chapter 4 Competitive Advantage 103

Chapter 5 Resource-Based Advantage 133

Chapter 6 Business Model Advantage 165

Chapter 7 Corporate Advantage 191

PART III STRATEGIC GROWTH

Chapter 8 New Ventures 221

Chapter 9 Crossing Borders 247

Chapter 10 Leading Strategic Change 281

Chapter 11 Evaluating Strategic Performance 315

PART IV MAVERICK STRATEGIES

Chapter 12 The Maverick: Six Senses of Strategy 345

APPENDICES

Practice Cases for Job Interviews 369

Using The Strategy Pathfinder 3rd Edition for Assessments and Examinations 385

Notes 391

References 405

Glossary of Core Strategic Management Concepts 411

Acknowledgements 427

Index 429

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The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.