Routledge Transformative Strategies: Strategic Thinking in the Age of Globalization, Disruption, Collaboration and Responsibility

Transformative Strategies is based around the idea that strategic thinking is critical for organizational success in today’s environment. The financial crisis, continuing economic uncertainty, digitalization, environmental issues, and social issues involved in globalization present strategic problems for enterprises. Unlike other textbooks that take a standard solutions-based approach, Transformative Strategies provides readers with a way to develop strategies that fit their own complex situations and shows how models may be applied in different ways to different problems. Each of the four key elements affecting the business environment (globalization, disruption, collaboration, and responsibility) are addressed as a set of tensions in eight areas: global competition, business model innovation, digital strategizing, business eco-systems, corporate social responsibility, top management teams, and trans-cultural leadership in a globalized world. This tension-based pedagogy enables readers to shift from dichotomized thinking (such as exploring or exploiting) to transformative thinking (such as exploring and exploiting; exploring through exploiting) and readers are challenged to solve real problems that companies face, encouraging them to acknowledge the broader context in which organizations operate and to analyze the problem from multiple perspectives. Each chapter is structured to aid engagement and discussion, including a discussion of the tension tied to the chapter’s topic, learning objectives, theoretical frameworks, real life case studies, exercises and reflective questions. A highly practical book that encourages readers to develop solutions that fit their own complex problems, it will be particularly suitable for those studying strategic management as part of an MBA, MA or MSc in Management, as well as those in executive education. It will also appeal to all those interested in learning how to lead and transform organizations towards impact, purpose and relevance. Online resources include discussions of the case studies, supplementary problems for class discussion, and an instructors’ manual outlining the pedagogical approach. Review "This is an excellent and thought-provoking book, which is both topical and relevant. The authors interweave case studies and theory to show how senior managers can think strategically in a rapidly changing environment, and the result is a book that is comprehensive, well-written, and full of interest. It will be useful to experienced managers and students alike." Mark Crowder, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK "Transformation is without a doubt one of the most popular and pressing themes in business today. This book succeeds admirably in analysing the complex and many headed monster that transformation is. Combining the most recent theory with insightful case studies, this well-structured book is an invaluable companion for anyone embarking upon a transformational journey." Prof. dr. Ard-Pieter de Man, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands "Globalisation of economy seems to come to a halt after decades of an unrestrained optimism towards a brighter future. How can we cope with such an unforeseeable paradigm shift? Perhaps by equipping ourselves with all the existing and available wisdom. This book seems to be one of those books that provide you with it, enabling you to find your contextual position in the teeth of unpredictability." Kimio Kase, Professor Emeritus at the International University of Japan and Professor at Beijing Normal University About the Author Brian Tjemkes is an associate professor of Strategy and Organization at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, where he is head of the Strategy section and director of the International Business Administration program. Brian’s research and education interests center on strategic alliances, business ecosystems, and corporate transformation. Oli Mihalache is an