Blue Ocean Versus Competitive Strategy: Theory and Evidence

28 Pages Posted: 16 Mar 2012

See all articles by Andrew E. Burke

Andrew E. Burke

Cranfield University - School of Management

Andre J. van Stel

Max Planck Society for the Advancement of the Sciences - Max Planck Institute for Economics

Roy Thurik

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Centre for Advanced Small Business Economics (CASBEC); Montpellier Business School; Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM); EIM Netherlands - Business and Policy Research; Tinbergen Institute

Date Written: May 29, 2009

Abstract

Blue ocean strategy seeks to turn strategic management on its head by replacing ‘competitive advantage’ with ‘value innovation’ as the primary goal where firms must create consumer demand and exploit untapped markets. Empirical analysis has been focused on case study evidence and so lacks generality to resolve the debate. We provide a methodological synthesis of the theories enabling us to bring statistical evidence to the debate. Our analysis finds that blue ocean and competitive strategies overlap and managers do not face a discrete either/or decision between each strategy. Our evidence for the Dutch retail industry indicates that blue ocean strategy has prevailed as a dominant long term viable strategy.

Keywords: retailing, blue ocean strategy, competitive advantage, entrepreneurial discovery, innovation

JEL Classification: M21, M, M13, L26, O32

Suggested Citation

Burke, Andrew E. and van Stel, Andre J. and Thurik, Roy and Thurik, Roy, Blue Ocean Versus Competitive Strategy: Theory and Evidence (May 29, 2009). ERIM Report Series Reference No. ERS-2009-030-ORG, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2024822

Andrew E. Burke (Contact Author)

Cranfield University - School of Management ( email )

Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/faculty/Showfaculty.asp?link=420

Andre J. Van Stel

Max Planck Society for the Advancement of the Sciences - Max Planck Institute for Economics ( email )

Kahlaische Strasse 10
D-07745 Jena, 07745
Germany

Roy Thurik

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Centre for Advanced Small Business Economics (CASBEC) ( email )

3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands
+31 10 408 2232 (Phone)
+31 10 408 9146 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.thurik.com

Montpellier Business School

France

Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands

EIM Netherlands - Business and Policy Research

Postbus 7001
2701 AA Zoetermeer
Netherlands
+31 79 341 3634 (Phone)
+31 79 331 3742 (Fax)

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Burg. Oudlaan 50
Rotterdam, 3062 PA
Netherlands

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