Reflecting on the past—a key to facilitating learning in strategy practice?

Korin, Heidi, Seeck, Hannele and Liikamaa, Kirsi (2023) Reflecting on the past—a key to facilitating learning in strategy practice? Journal of Strategy and Management, 16 (2). pp. 282-300. ISSN 1755-425X

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Abstract

Purpose The literature on the past triggering learning in strategy practice is scant. To fill this gap, this study aims to examine the meaning of the past to learning in strategy practice and expands on the strategy-as-practice (SAP) literature. Understanding the relationship between the past and learning in strategy practice is important because learning is what keeps strategy practice in motion and remains in place, even if organizations and strategy practitioners change. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a longitudinal case study design combined with historical methods to examine how the past is embedded in present strategy practice. To capture learning in strategy practice over time, the authors applied a four-stage methodology in our analysis of document and interview data. Findings The authors identified four dimensions of the past embedded in the present strategy practice. These dimensions emerged from the analysis of the interviews and document data. The study’s results showed that the past appears in structures and routines, materiality, positioning and reflecting over repeated rounds of strategic planning. According to the study’s results, reflecting on strategy practice draws on past structures and routines, positioning and materiality. The past facilitates reflecting and reflecting on the past enables learning in strategy practice. Originality/value The authors constructed a conceptual model and showed that in strategy practice, reflection triggers learning. The authors contributed to theory development by demonstrating how the past is embedded in present strategy practice and is available for use by strategy practitioners. The authors showed that strategy practice is a continuous learning process.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/1...
Additional Information:	© 2022 The Authors
Divisions:	Media and Communications
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Date Deposited:	20 Mar 2023 11:48
Last Modified:	18 Apr 2024 05:21
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/118464

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