Resource Orchestration to Create Competitive Advantage: Breadth, Depth, and Life Cycle Effects

Journal of Management, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 1390-1412, September 2011

Mays Business School Research Paper No. 2012-18

25 Pages Posted: 31 Jan 2012

See all articles by David G. Sirmon

David G. Sirmon

Texas A&M University

Michael A. Hitt

Texas A&M University - Department of Management; Texas Christian University

R. Duane Ireland

Texas A&M University - Department of Management

Brett Anitra Gilbert

Rutgers Business School

Date Written: November 1, 2010

Abstract

In this article, the authors discuss how an emerging research stream, which they term resource orchestration, has the potential to extend the understanding of resource-based theory (RBT) by explicitly addressing the role of managers’ actions to effectively structure, bundle, and leverage firm resources. First, the authors review this emerging stream by comparing two related frame- works, resource management and asset orchestration. This comparison leads to their integration, which enables a more precise understanding of managers’ roles within RBT. Then the authors discuss what is known and what remains to be known about resource orchestration. This leads to in-depth reviews of three areas where research on resource orchestration can be used to extend RBT. These areas are (1) breadth (resource orchestration across the scope of the firm), (2) life cycle (resource orchestration at various stages of firm maturity), and (3) depth (resource orchestration across levels of the firm). They close with a discussion of future research that will extend resource orchestration and contribute to a more robust RBT.

Keywords: resource-based theory, resource management, asset orchestration, competitive advantage, bundle

Suggested Citation

Sirmon, David G. and Hitt, Michael A. and Ireland, R. Duane and Gilbert, Brett Anitra, Resource Orchestration to Create Competitive Advantage: Breadth, Depth, and Life Cycle Effects (November 1, 2010). Journal of Management, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 1390-1412, September 2011 , Mays Business School Research Paper No. 2012-18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1994489

David G. Sirmon (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4218
United States

Michael A. Hitt

Texas A&M University - Department of Management ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4218
United States
979-458-3393 (Phone)

Texas Christian University ( email )

Fort Worth, TX 76129
United States

R. Duane Ireland

Texas A&M University - Department of Management ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4218
United States

Brett Anitra Gilbert

Rutgers Business School ( email )

Newark, NJ
United States
973-353-621 (Phone)
973-353-1650 (Fax)

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