Title: Developing effective strategies to address complex challenges: evidence from local high-tech firms in China

Authors: Xudong Gao, Jiang Yu, Mingfang Li

Addresses: Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. ' Institute of Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 8712, Beijing 100080, China. ' School of Business, Hohai University, 1 Xikang Road, Nanjing, 210098, China; Department of Management, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330-8376, USA

Abstract: One important characteristic of the business environment in China since the reform in 1978 is its complexity: environmental complexity, transformational complexity, and latecomer disadvantages. Although the existing literature suggests that it might be helpful to develop a paradoxical frame or a more effective cognitive representation, the question of how firms could do so remain unanswered. In this paper we propose that the application of dialectical thinking could play important roles, because this kind of thinking could be the basis for developing a paradoxical cognition and therefore could be effective at helping executives simultaneously take into consideration multiple problems or challenges in business management and effectively integrate them. We also used two cases to illustrate this proposition.

Keywords: strategy; environmental complexity; transformational complexity; latecomer disadvantages; dialectical thinking; China; high-tech firms; high technology; business management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2010.033808

International Journal of Technology Management, 2010 Vol.51 No.2/3/4, pp.319 - 341

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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