Building a case against strategic equifinality. Issue 6 (8th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Madanoglu, Melih; Okumus, Fevzi; Avci, Umut
• Is Part Of: Management decision. Volume 52:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: 1174
• Page End: 1193
• Publication Date: 2014-07-08
• Subjects: Management -- Periodicals; 658.403
• DOI: 10.1108/MD-03-2013-0131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-1747

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – The purpose of this paper is to build a case against strategic equifinality. This is accomplished by employing hybrid ideal types approach and testing the effect of these strategic types on firm performance among service firms in the context of a developing country. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – Data were collected via a self-administered survey. The final sample of this study encompassed 169 ideal type hybrid companies operating in the tourism industry in Mugla, Turkey. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The research findings indicate that prospectors and hybrid prospector-analyzer (PA) orientations outperform defenders based on several financial and non-financial performance measures. However, all other strategic orientations show identical performance. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title> <p> – The research findings imply that adopting a hybrid strategy is a viable option. In addition, SMEs in developing countries should exercise some caution when deciding to adopt a defender strategy. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – This study uses hybrid ideal types for service firms in a dynamic business environment in a developing country.</p> </sec> </abstract>