Converting simplicity as a military strategy principle to a successful tool for strategy execution in a geographically dispersed organisation

Abstract

This research reports a case study conducted to determine whether the application of Simplicity as a military principle can assist a geographically dispersed organisation in executing strategy more effectively. An investigation was conducted into the main reasons why strategy execution is not fully effective in an identified geographical dispersed organisation. A survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify these inhibitors. A comparison with existing literature identified the 4 main requirements to effective strategy execution in this organisation. A review of the application of Simplicity in the military context was completed. A comprehensive literature review, integrated with semi-structured interviews with general staff in the South African Army identified military approaches to Simplicity and its impact on execution successes. A conceptual content analysis matched successful military approaches to Simplicity with the main drivers of ineffective strategy execution in the organisation. The output was strategy execution inhibitors in the organisation, with matched approaches to Simplicity from interviews with military professionals. The compilation of a specific model and tools for simplification was proposed for the organisation. The output was a model for strategy execution at all levels, with tools and techniques discussed to ensure the simplification of strategic objectives in execution. Copyright