The Paradox of Stretch Goals: Organizations in Pursuit of the Seemingly Impossible

Abstract

We investigate the organizational pursuit of seemingly impossible goals - commonly known as stretch goals. Building from our analysis of the mechanisms through which stretch goals could influence organizational learning and performance, we offer a contingency framework evaluating which organizations are positioned to benefit from such extreme goals, and which are most likely to pursue them. We conclude that stretch goals are, paradoxically, most seductive for organizations that can least afford the risks associated with them.

Keywords: organizational learning, performance, organizational goals, stretch goals, organizational cognition, exploratory search, change, innovation, risk taking

JEL Classification: A10, D2, D23, D83, L2, L20, L21, M1, M10, M14