Competencies for strategic agility enabling firm performance in the South African wholesale and retail sector

Abstract

In a dynamic and globally competitive business environment there is a need for organisations and their leaders to continuously scan the environment within which they operate for threats and opportunities. Organisational strategies cannot remain static in such environments but must be agile in order to remain relevant to customer needs . This study explores the competencies requisite for managers and their organisations to achieve strategic agility, t hus enabling firm performance in the South African wholesale and retail sector. To achieve this, a study was undertaken to gain insights from participants in the wholesale and retail sector. This research employed a qualitative approach grounded in an interpretivist philosophy. The research questions were answered through semi structured interviews with key stakeholders within the South African wholesale and retail sector The findings sho w the need for a hybrid model involving virtual retail and physical brick and mortar outlets in response to contextual factors such as high unemployment, inequality, technological advancements, big data analytics, and customer preferences. Further findings contribute to the body of literature by identifying competencies for strategic agility and align ing these to the dynamic capabilities framework through sensing, seizing and transforming opportunities in the environment to propel the firm towards its perfo rmance objectives.