The Evolution of Strategy (Over Six Decades and Thirty Models)

Abstract

Over the last 50 years we have witnessed an impressive collective effort to develop the business sciences. Just like in other social sciences, ideas in business management evolve over time through an ongoing historical process. Discovering previous authors and models can be a very useful source of knowledge for carrying out their leadership task in the best way possible. But this does not seek to be a historical review leading to nostalgic contemplation, but rather an invitation to action. Classics can and should coexist with the latest bestsellers on the manager’s bookshelf. The task of the leader is to read well, select these strategic tools appropriately and know how to apply them to the context of his or her organisation. The 21st century manager must understand the evolution of strategy in order to be the architect of tomorrow’s decisions.

Keywords: Strategy, General Management, Business history, Strategic decisions, Strategic models

JEL Classification: M10