Insights into the use of strategic thinking and influence during strategy formulation within a group setting

Abstract

This research explores the way in which managers come together in groups to form innovative strategies. This was achieved by investigating managers usage of strategic thinking and influence through behavioural observation and thereafter subjecting the data to a qualitative thematic content analysis. Subsequently this study provides a deeper understanding of the five-element view of strategic thinking as well as proposes a set of collaborative influence tactics that may be used in accessing group level strategic thinking. Finally the synthesis of these insights are presented in an exploratory model describing a component-based view of group level strategic thinking for the development of innovative strategies. The study conclusions provide both theoretical and practical contributions to the existing understandings of strategic thinking, influence and strategy development.