Abstract
The effective strategy execution has emerged as the source of competitive advantage. There are multiple constructs and subsequent variables affecting the strategy execution. The scholars highlighted the role ‘Act’ in successfully executing strategy and achieving desired organizational performance. This study argues that the mediating role of ‘Adapt’ significantly enhances the influence of ‘Act’ on strategy execution. This study investigates the role of ‘Act’ with mediating role of ‘Adapt’. The research context is firms operating in India. The study uses both exploratory and confirmatory research modes adopting both the qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The findings of the study suggest that the Act approach, focusing on execution leadership, communication etc., significantly improves the strategy execution when supported by the Adapt practices such as incorporation of reflection, adaptive culture, etc. The study contributes to the existing discussion on strategy execution and also suggests managerial implications.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aaltonen, P., & Ikavalko, H. (2002). Implementing strategies successfully. Integrated Manufacturing Systems, 13(6), 415–418.
Alexander, L. D. (1985). Successfully implementing strategic decisions. Long Range Planning, 18, 91–97.
Aspesi, C., & Vardhan, D. (1999). Brilliant strategy, but can you execute? The McKinsey Quarterly, 1, 88–99.
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173–1182.
Beer, M., & Eisenstat, R. A. (2000). The silent killers of strategy implementation and learning. Sloan Management Review, 41(4), 29–40.
Bossidy, L., & Charan, R. (2002). Execution: The discipline of getting things done. London: Random House Business Books.
Burgess, T. F., Ong, T. S., & Shaw, N. E. (2007). Traditional or contemporary? the prevalence of performance measurement system types. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 56(7), 583–602.
Chiva, R., Grandío, A., & Alegre, J. (2010). Adaptive and generative learning: implications from complexity theories. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(2), 114–129.
Cooper, R. G., & Kleinschmidt, E. J. (1995). Benchmarking the firm’s critical success factors in new product development. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 12(5), 374–391.
Delisi, P.S. (2001). An oxymoron or a powerful formula for corporate success, Available at: Synergies website: http://www.org-synergies.com/Strategy%20Execution%20Paper3.pdf (Accessed 17 Sept 2009).
Freund, Y. P. (1988). Planner’s guide: critical success factors. Planning Review, 16(4), 20–23.
Giles, W. D. (1991). Making strategy work. Long Range Planning, 24(5), 75–91.
Grover, V., Jeong, S. R., Kettinger, W. J., & Teng, J. T. C. (1995). The Implementation of Business Process Reengineering. Journal of Management Information System, 12(1), 109–144.
Guth, W. D., & Macmillan, I. C. (1986). Strategy implementation versus middle management self-interest. Strategic Management Journal, 7, 313–327.
Hanley, C.A. (2007). The execution challenge: translating strategy into action. Bank Accounting & Finance, October–November, pp. 17–20
Higgins, J. M. (2005). The eight S of successful strategy execution. Journal of Change Management, 5, 3–13.
Hrebiniak, L. G. (2006). Obstacles to effective strategy implementation. Organizational Dynamics, 35, 12–31.
Hrebiniak, L. G., & Joyce, W. F. (1984). Implementing Strategy. London: Collier, Macmillan.
Jones, T. (1995). Instrumental stakeholder theory: a synthesis of ethics and economics. Academy of Management Review, 20, 404–437.
Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1996). Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system. Harvard Business Review, 74(1), 75–85.
Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2008). The execution premium: linking strategy to operations for competitive advantage. Boston: Harvard Business Press.
Martin, R. L. (2010). The execution trap. Harvard Business Review, 88(7/8), 1–8.
McAdam, R., & O’Neill, E. (1999). Taking a critical perspective to the European business excellence model using a balanced scorecard approach: a case study in the service sector. Managing Service Quality, 9(3), 191–197.
Miller, D. (1990). The icarus paradox: How excellent organizations can bring about their own downfall. New York: Harper Business.
Miller, S., Wilson, D., & Hickson, D. (2004). Beyond planning: strategies for successfully implementing strategic decisions. Long Range Planning, 37(3), 201–218.
Nasim, S., & Sushil, (2010). Managing continuity and change: A new approach for strategizing in e-government. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 4(4), 338–364.
Neely, A. (2005). The evaluation of performance measurement research: developments in the last decade and a research agenda for the next. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 25(12), 1264–1277.
Neilson, G. L., Martin, K. L., & Powers, E. (2008). The secret to successful strategy execution. Harvard Business Review, 86(6), 60–70.
Noble, C. H. (1999). The eclectic roots of strategy implementation research. Journal of Business Research, 45, 119–134.
Okumus, F. (2001). Towards a strategy implementation framework. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 13(7), 327–338.
Pascale, R. T. (1990). Managing on the edge: How successful companies use conflict to stay ahead. London: Viking Penguin.
Peng, W., & Litteljohn, D. (2001). Organisational communication and strategy implementation—a primary inquiry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 13(7), 360–363.
Piercy, N. F. (1998). Marketing implementation: the implications of marketing paradigm weakness for the strategy execution process. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 26(3), 222–236.
Power, D. J., Sohal, A. S., & Rahman, S. (2001). Critical success factors in agile supply chain management—an empirical study. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 31(4), 247–265.
Prahalad and Hamel. (1990). The corecompetence of the corporation. Harvard Business Review, 68(3), 79–91.
Qi, H. (2005). Strategy implementation: the impact of demographic characteristics on the level of support received by middle managers. Management International Review, 45(1), 45–70.
Raperta, M. I., Velliquette, A., & Garretson, J. A. (2002). The strategic implementation process: Evoking strategic consensus through communication. Journal of Business Research, 55(4), 301–310.
Reeda, R., & Buckley, M. R. (1988). Strategy in action-techniques for implementing strategy. Long Range Planning, 21(3), 67–74.
Rockart, J. (1979). Chief executive defines their own data needs. Harvard Business Review, 57(2), 81–93.
Schaap, J. I. (2006). Toward strategy implementation success: an empirical study of the role of senior-level leaders in the Nevada Gaming Industry. UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, 10, 13–37.
Schneier, C. E., Shaw, D. G., & Beatty, R. W. (1991). Performance measurement and management: A tool for strategy execution. Human Resource Management, 30(3), 279–301.
Senge, P. M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art & practice of the learning organization. New York: Currency Doubleday.
Sheehan, N. T. (2006). Want to improve strategic execution? Simons says levers. Journal of Business Strategy, 27(6), 56–64.
Srivastava, A., & Sushil, (2013). Modeling strategic performance factors for effective strategy execution. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 62(6), 254–282.
Srivastava, A., & Sushil, (2014). Adapt: A critical pillar of strategy execution process. Springer: Organizational flexibility and competitiveness.
Sull, D. N. (2007). Closing the gap between strategy and execution. MIT Sloan Management Review, 48(4), 30–38.
Sushil, (2008). How balanced is balanced scorecard. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 9(2–3), 3–5.
Sushil, (2009). Execution excellence. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 10(2), 1–3.
Sushil. (2014). The concept of a flexible enterprise. In Sushil & E. A. Stohr (Eds.), The flexible enterprise (pp. 3–26). Flexible Systems Management. New Delhi: Springer.
Ulrich, D. (1998). A new mandate for human resources. Harvard Business Review, 76(1), 124–134.
Volberda, (1997). Building flexible organizations for fast-moving markets. Long Range Planning, 30(2), 169–183.
Wooldridge, B., & Floyd, S. W. (1990). The strategy process, middle management involvement, and organizational performance. Strategic Management Journal, 11, 231–241.
Wooldridge, B., & Floyd, S. W. (1992). The strategy process, middle management involvement, and organizational performance. Strategic Management Journal, 11, 231–241.
Yadav, N. (2014). Flexibility aspects in performance management system: An illustration of flexible strategy game-card. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 15(3), 181–189.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Srivastava, A.K. Act for Effective Strategy Execution: Mediating Role of Adapt. Glob J Flex Syst Manag 15, 305–312 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-014-0075-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-014-0075-8