L3 & L4: Sustainable strategies

Question 1

What is the central tension explored in the article regarding organizational strategy? (Deephouse)

Answer 1

The article explores the tension between differentiation, involving unique competitive advantages, and imitation, replicating successful strategies of competitors.

Question 2

According to the author(Deephouse), what is crucial for organizations in navigating the balance between differentiation and imitation?

Answer 2

The author emphasizes the importance of identifying and leveraging distinctive resources and capabilities for organizations to navigate the balance between differentiation and imitation.

Question 3

According to the article, what does strategic balance require a nuanced understanding of? (Deephouse)

Answer 3

Strategic balance requires a nuanced understanding of market dynamics, competitor behavior, and organizational capabilities, as well as the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Question 4

What does the conformity proposition suggest for a firm that aims to be the same?

Answer 4

The conformity proposition suggests that being the same avoids legitimacy challenges that hinder resource acquisition.

Question 5

What is a key resource for the successful firm, according to the provided information?(deephouse)

Answer 5

A key resource of the successful firm is locating profitable new strategic opportunities for its core competencies.

Question 6

In the balance between differentiation and conformity, what is the general implication for a firm’s performance?

Answer 6

The general implication is that the firm has the highest performance at intermediate levels of strategic similarity.

Question 7

What conditions do firms in the high similarity condition face, according to the information? (deephouse)

Answer 7

Firms in the high similarity condition face strong competition and avoid legitimacy challenges

Question 8

According to the article, what happens to the costs and benefits at greater levels of dissimilarity? (deephouse)

Answer 8

At greater levels of dissimilarity, the costs of legitimacy challenges exceed the benefits of reduced competition, leading to lower net performance.

Question 9

What does the article propose regarding a firm’s performance in relation to strategic similarity? (deephouse)

Answer 9

The ultimate relationship between strategic similarity and performance depends on the relative strength of the differentiation and conformity propositions over the range of strategic similarity.

Question 10

According to Meyer and Rowan, what functions do the formal structures and procedures of organizations often serve?

Answer 10

The formal structures and procedures of organizations often serve symbolic and ceremonial functions rather than practical purposes.

Question 11

What concept from institutional theory is drawn upon by the authors to explain the adoption of formalized structures by organizations? (Meyer & Rowan)

Answer 11

The authors draw on concepts from institutional theory to explain that organizations adopt formalized structures to conform to societal expectations and norms.

Question 12

How do organizations become “institutionalized,” according to the article? (Meyer & Rowan)

Answer 12

Organizations become “institutionalized” by relying on symbolic rituals and ceremonies to maintain legitimacy and stability

Question 13

What does Meyer and Rowan suggest can result from institutionalization in terms of organizational behavior?

Answer 13

Institutionalization can lead to a disconnect between formal structures and actual organizational behavior, challenging conventional assumptions about organizational rationality and decision-making.

Question 14

What is highlighted as a key aspect in the article regarding the relationship between formal structure, organizational culture, and institutionalization processes? (Meyer & Rowan)

Answer 14

The article highlights the importance of understanding the social dynamics and symbolic dimensions of organizational life in relation to formal structure, organizational culture, and institutionalization processes.

Question 15

According to the article, what role do symbolic rituals and ceremonies play in institutionalized organizations? (Meyer & Rowan)

Answer 15

Symbolic rituals and ceremonies play a crucial role in institutionalized organizations to maintain legitimacy and stability.

Question 16

What does institutionalization involve, as defined in the information provided? (Meyer & Rowan)

Answer 16

Institutionalization involves the process by which social processes, obligations, or actualities come to take on a rulelike status in social thought and action.

Question 17

What conventional assumptions about organizational rationality and decision-making does the article challenge? (Meyer & Rowan)

Answer 17

The article challenges conventional assumptions about organizational rationality and decision-making by highlighting the disconnect between formal structures and actual organizational behavior.

Question 18

What valuable insights does the article offer regarding organizational life within complex organizations? (Meyer & Rowan)

Answer 18

The article offers valuable insights into the social dynamics and symbolic dimensions of organizational life, emphasizing the role of institutional pressures in shaping organizational behavior.

Question 19

What are the two ways of organizing means–ends decoupling identified in the study? (Stål et al)

Answer 19

Structural and temporal core–compartment separations are the two ways of organizing means–ends decoupling.

Question 20

What are the consequences of means–ends decoupling for organizations, according to the information provided? (stål et al)

Answer 20

Means–ends decoupling has concrete consequences for organizations, diverting resources from key activities, increasing internal complexity, and generating perpetual reform.

Question 21

What does the example of Japanista indicate about the influence on core–compartment separation?

Answer 21

The example of Japanista indicates the influence of economic pressures on core–compartment separation

Question 22

What practical implications does the study suggest for managers? (stål et al)

Answer 22

Managers should understand how to organize means–ends decoupling for stability and internal coherence.

Question 23

How does the study highlight the relevance of means–ends decoupling for external stakeholders interested in sustainability? (stål et al)

Answer 23

The study emphasizes the opportunity for external stakeholders to influence organizational practice by exposing gaps and promoting reflection and action

Question 24

Why should scholars be interested in understanding the organizing of means–ends decoupling?

Answer 24

cholars should be interested because means–ends decoupling is prevalent and rising, has consequences for organizations, and serves as a key response to institutional complexity and rationalization.