Strategic Management: Strategists at Work

by Robert MacIntosh, Donald MacLean, Craig Robinson

Overview

Focusing on the practicalities of developing business strategy, this textbook provides an intuitive approach to developing a strategic plan. The authors share what they have learned through two decades of strategy work with a myriad of organisations, presenting theory and delivering key insights into the strategist's role.

The authors demonstrate their unique Strategy Cycle approach, which combines strategic logic (in the form of detailed plans) with the aesthetic, creative and interpretive process of bringing a strategy to life by storytelling. They examine familiar planning tools to identify where value truly lies, while introducing new ideas and methods, culminating in a simple and succinct 10-component strategy.

Visit the authors' website at strategystory.co.uk

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350347595
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/15/2023
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Robert MacIntosh is Professor of Strategy at the University of Glasgow. He trained as an engineer and has researched strategy development and strategic change for twenty years in a range of public, private, large and small organizations. He has published extensively in top rank journals including Strategic Management Journal, Organization Studies, Human Relations, Journal of Management Studies as well as in a range of more practitioner-oriented outlets including Journal of Business Strategy. He has also published 'Managing Change as Enquiry and Action' with Cambridge University Press (2012).

Donald MacLean is a senior research fellow in the Business School at the University of Glasgow. His interests lie in the development of innovative approaches to strategy, leadership, and management within and between organizations. He has published extensively in top international journals including The Strategic Management Journal, The British Journal of Management, Organization Studies, Human Relations and Journal of Management Studies. He is a member of the director development faculty of the Institute of Directors in Scotland and, in addition to his academic work, has extensive experience of industry and management through pervious industrial posts, numerous action-research projects and ongoing strategic management coaching and consultancy.

Together, Professors MacIntosh and MacLean have delivered strategy related courses at Glasgow, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Paris (Sciences Po). They have also undertaken executive development work with private sector organizations including the BP, Scottish and Southern Energy, Babcock International Group, Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank and public sector organizations including the NHS, HMRC and Local Government.
Robert MacIntosh is Professor of Strategy at the University of Glasgow. He trained as an engineer and has researched strategy development and strategic change for twenty years in a range of public, private, large and small organizations. He has published extensively in top rank journals including Strategic Management Journal, Organization Studies, Human Relations, Journal of Management Studies as well as in a range of more practitioner-oriented outlets including Journal of Business Strategy. He has also published 'Managing Change as Enquiry and Action' with Cambridge University Press (2012).

Donald MacLean is a senior research fellow in the Business School at the University of Glasgow. His interests lie in the development of innovative approaches to strategy, leadership, and management within and between organizations. He has published extensively in top international journals including The Strategic Management Journal, The British Journal of Management, Organization Studies, Human Relations and Journal of Management Studies. He is a member of the director development faculty of the Institute of Directors in Scotland and, in addition to his academic work, has extensive experience of industry and management through pervious industrial posts, numerous action-research projects and ongoing strategic management coaching and consultancy.

Together, Professors MacIntosh and MacLean have delivered strategy related courses at Glasgow, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Paris (Sciences Po). They have also undertaken executive development work with private sector organizations including the BP, Scottish and Southern Energy, Babcock International Group, Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank and public sector organizations including the NHS, HMRC and Local Government.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. A Brief History of Strategy and Strategists
3. Diagnosis
4. Intent
5. Trends and Opportunities
6. Resources and Capability
7. Strategic Options
8. Evaluating Strategy
9. Building a Comprehensive Strategy
10. The Strategy Cycle
11. Logic to Action
12. Complexity, Strategy, Transformation and Leadership
13. The Strategy Cycle in Practice
Case Study 1: Apple
Case Study 2: Nokia
Case Study 3: ABB
Case Study 4: Nine Dragons
Appendix 1: Strategy Cycle templates
Appendix 2: Writing a Business Plan
Appendix 3: Writing Strategy Assignments
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

A tour d'force. Strategists at Work is a practical, step-by-step guide to creating strategies and then shifting them when they hit real-life. A blend of practical insights and deep wisdom from the best of traditional and contemporary thinking about strategy, MacIntosh and MacLean provide a compelling view of how smart strategy happens.' – Kathleen M. Eisenhardt, Stanford University, USA

'Robert MacIntosh and Donald MacLean have written an absolutely marvelous book. It should be read by students and seasoned practitioners alike. Their intent to put strategy and strategists together by focusing on the actual human beings who do strategy is nothing short of strategic brilliance.' – Ian I. Mitroff, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California, USA

'This book offers useful respite from the conventional and rather stale strategy textbook structure. Offering fresh, applied and relevant thinking on a number of areas, accompanied by engaging examples, it will be a valuable addition to the reading lists of MBA students, executive education participants, management consultants and practicing strategists.' – Loizos Heracleous, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, UK

'This is an illuminating study of the crucial importance of strategic thinking in organisational management. It provides a historical perspective on the origins of strategy and a comprehensive account of theoretical frameworks. And with critical consideration of a variety of real-world case studies it is also an eminently practical resource for strategists and managers concerned to optimise organisational effectiveness.'– Irene McAra-McWilliam, The Glasgow School of Art, UK

'MacLean and MacIntosh eloquently engage us in a clear view of the contemporary world of strategy through excellent practical stories both from business and public sector coupled with a concise view of key theories. In addition, they offer a significant new take on the practice of strategy, in revealing critical characteristics for strategist of the 21st century; a refreshingly simple and cutting edge approach to a new form of strategic action as creative, Bardic - as an art form.' – Joe Lockwood, The Glasgow School of Art, UK

'In this marvelous book, Robert MacIntosh and Donald MacLean let us glimpse the complex relationship between plans and actions over time and show how sophisticated strategists coherently orchestrate collective action. They insightfully combine evidence-based strategy insights with pragmatic concerns. You will find here state-of-the-art research, a practical orientation, rich case studies, and an enjoyable narrative!' – Haridimos Tsoukas, University of Cyprus and University of Warwick, UK

'MacIntosh and MacLean debunk the myth that strategic planning is a black art. Using a combination of historical context and modern case study, together with current theory and extensive action research, this text gives a straightforward and ordered account of the planning process to guide any business owner, executive or manager towards a realistic and workable plan.' -Nigel Scott, Institute of Directors – Scotland, UK

Editorial Reviews

This book is both comprehensive and immediately accessible to students and practitioners alike; the authors brilliantly bring the world of strategy to life through real-world examples and practical applications, while reflecting the latest cutting-edge research and developments in the field.” —Alison Ashby, University of Exeter, UK

“In this eminently readable book, MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson summarize, integrate, and apply all the major theoretical frameworks in strategic management, before demonstrating how these frameworks are actually used. In doing so, they allow the reader to learn from the experts themselves – the practicing strategic managers of the business world.” —Jay Barney, University of Utah, USA

“This wonderful book is practical, rigorous, up to date, and written in an engaging style that includes suitable irony. It blends the old (before the common era) with the new (the COVID pandemic) and careful planning with unexpected emergence, in ways that provide potential strategists with both realism and hope.” —Jean Bartunek, Boston College, USA

“In this book, MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson discuss the parts of strategy other books often leave out. In addition to the tools, techniques and pertinent research, they focus on the 'messy reality' of how the work of strategy really gets done – the language, politics, plans that go awry and not least, the strategists themselves. This practical approach is informed by an impressive depth of theoretical insight, presented in a highly accessible way, informed by expansive practical experience within a range of organisations. This is essential reading both for those new to the field and for strategists who will benefit from this refreshing set of ideas and examples.” —Nic Beech, Middlesex University, UK

“If you are compelled to understand more about strategy in our complex, interconnected, digital world and to identify ways in which you are more likely to deliver successful outcomes - then Strategists at Work is a great read.” —Roisin Currie, Chief Executive Officer, Greggs PLC

“MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson's Strategic Management offers a practical and innovative approach to planning and executing strategy for scholars and practitioners alike. Its comprehensive coverage and engaging style is combined with novel insights into strategy as narrative, giving it versatility and relevance across all levels of teaching and study.” —James Fowler, University of Essex, UK

“This textbook refreshingly addresses issues such as the history of strategy, the work of strategists, cultural and political issues as they relate to strategy, and complexity and transformation. As such it helps to bring strategy to life in an appealing way.” —Loizos Heracleous, University of Warwick, UK

“This book on strategic management is a must-read for any business professional looking to stay ahead of the game. With a focus on practical, real-world examples and experiential work, it provides a comprehensive guide to the latest strategic management practices and trends.” —Adil Tahir Paracha, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

“Strategic Management: Strategists at Work is a fantastic book. Both refreshingly simple and complex at the same time. The authors manage to combine straightforward, practical advice on how to craft strategy with accessible theoretical insights on the social dynamics of strategy work. This second edition includes lots of updated examples and a great new chapter on storytelling, showing that a robust, coherent, logical strategy on its own is nothing without a storytelling culture that promotes that strategy.” —David Seidl, University of Zurich, Switzerland

“I couldn't think of a better resource for my students than Strategic Management. Why? Because the authors have written this text with the learner in mind. Their storytelling approach brings theory to life, and makes what could have been an arduous read enjoyable, practical and meaningful. For anyone teaching this subject, put it on your resource list-your students will thank you!” —Danny Simms, University of Applied Research and Development, New Zealand

“This is one of the best strategy books in an increasingly crowded and noisy field. The text succeeds in its nuanced simplicity. MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson are gifted storytellers and do a wonderful job of making strategy accessible by avoiding corporate gibberish and embedding state-of-the-art knowledge in a highly-readable format.” —Roy Suddaby, University of Victoria, Canada

“The biggest challenge in business is translating leadership strategy into management action. MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson have unscrambled the formula for effective delivery. Read it, before tomorrow gets here.” —John Mark Williams, CEO, Institute of Leadership & Management, UK

From the Publisher