Praeger Strategic Management and Core Competencies: Theory and Application

Managers and management scholars alike need operational models and concepts for dealing with core competencies within strategic management. This book provides tools for the practitioner as well as fundamental theoretical concepts to enable scholars to further build upon Drejer's work. His main argument is that understanding core competencies is key to explaining why some firms enjoy a competitive advantage over others. Drejer proposes models and means with which managers can proactively identify, design, and develop their firm's core competencies in strategic alignment. More than merely a how-to book, this work places an equal emphasis on the concepts behind competence-based strategy. The author offers the reader multiple perspectives on the background of competence-based strategy, the relationship between strategic management and the development of core competencies, and the application of competence-based strategy to praxis. He provides the tools necessary to identify, analyze, and develop the competencies of a firm, and in so doing performs a valuable service for practitioners and researchers. Review "Dr. Anders Drejer's book is a new inspiration for managers to consider how the technological disciplines in the firm can contribute to business creation and development of the firm. Dr. Drejer has shown that a high scientific level is not incompatible with practical value for managers."-Thorkild Vorm Director of Technology Coloplast A.S. Holtedam, Denmark "The notion of competence development has gained considerable interest among academics and professionals, but there has been a dearth of well-researched publications on the subject. Especially lacking have been contributions with practical case examples to support the theoretical perspectives. Anders Drejer's book fills this need by bringing together theory and application, using as its basis his extensive experience of both academia and industry."-Professor David Bennett Center for Technology Management and Operations Systems Engineering Aston University, UK "Unlike many strategic management books, this book draws on a wide range of frameworks from Operations and Technology Management such as quality function deployment and Technology Mapping. Strategic Management and Core Competencies will be essential reading for operating managers, who are seeking to develop competitive advantage through their operations and competencies."-Professor Chris Voss Director-Center for Operations Management London Business School About the Author ANDERS DREJER is Associate Professor at the Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Denmark. He has published five books and numerous articles in journals of international reach. A consultant to many large Scandinavian firms, he serves as a non-executive member of several boards.