Title: The role of Portuguese companies in the development of corporate strategies: case study

Authors: Renato Lopes Da Costa; Solange Ramos; Nelson Santos António

Addresses: Department of Marketing, Operations and General Management, ISCTE-IUL – University Institute of Lisbon, ISCTE Business School, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal ' Department of Marketing, Operations and General Management, ISCTE-IUL – University Institute of Lisbon, ISCTE Business School, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal ' Department of Marketing, Operations and General Management, ISCTE-IUL – University Institute of Lisbon, ISCTE Business School, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract: Strategy assumes a significant role in the managerial field concerning three levels of activity - corporate, business and functional. In academic terms, corporate strategy refers to a set of conceptualised strategies with distinct purposes. However, how does one make a decision regarding corporate strategies? Which forces, internal or external, are capable of influencing it? Are these strategies equally perceived? There is a gap of perception between the academic and business settings. Academically, corporate strategies are only explored towards their aim. However, under real conditions, companies are exposed to further features. Thus, the present investigation aims to develop an understanding about how distinct companies perceive strategy at the corporate level. This article relies on data from 30 companies, with a variety of industries. The results include valuable information regarding the main drivers of the decision behind corporate strategies and the dissimilarities associated to the perception of strategy at the corporate level.

Keywords: strategy; strategic management; corporate strategy; strategic decision.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2020.108349

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2020 Vol.12 No.3, pp.231 - 247

Received: 13 Feb 2018
Accepted: 06 Nov 2018
Published online: 10 Jul 2020 *

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