Interactionism and Systemic View in Strategic Approach

Abstract

This paper revisits the evolution of the strategic management field over the last few decades, focusing on its epistemological characterization. The emerging and diffusion of strategic discourse is seen as something mainly driven by issues concerning the philosophical realm and the world of theory rather than changes occurring at the "ontological" level of firms and managerial practice. In particular, a change of focus from decisions to actions and the recognition of the constructivist nature of strategy in knowledge-producers' representations have led to a shift of perspective from the original, merely subjectivist position to an interactionist view coupled with the systemic view. The blend of these two views is seen as characterizing the strategic approach within the field much more effectively than either position on its own. Given this definition of the strategic approach, some of the underlying assumptions and implications are then considered.