Comparing Prescriptive and Emergent Approaches to Strategy, Role of Core Competence in Sustainable Competitive Advantage, and Critically Evaluating SWOT Analysis

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
SECTION 1......................................................................................................................................1
1.Critically compare and contrast the application of ‘prescriptive’ and ‘emergent’ approaches
to strategy and outline their role in the delivery of this aim. Whereas possible use examples
drawn from the literature to support points you put forward.................................................1
SECTION 2......................................................................................................................................4
2. Comment critically on the role of ‘Core Competence’ in developing Sustainable
Competitive Advantage (SCA) for an organisation. Use examples from the literature to
support your arguments..........................................................................................................4
3. “The use and application of a SWOT analysis is ‘blunt tool’ when applied to strategy
management. Critically evaluate this statement appraising issues and limitations associated
with its use. What conclusions can reasonably be made about the use of this tool in strategy?
................................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Strategic management is undertaken as the continuous planning, observing, evaluating and
assessment of whole requirements an entity needs for meeting their business objectives.
Moreover, this is essential for firm to formulate as well as develop effectual tactics for ventures
as it would drives towards having key affects upon whole business productivity and
performance. Additionally, it is vital for firm for successfully and appropriately executes the
business strategies as it would drives towards having important affects upon whole business
performance. In addition to this, strategies are crucial aspects of business as it would have directs
and key impacts upon ventures. So, for understanding it in effective way, some topics are
covered in this report that are comparing the application of emergent and prescriptive approaches
to strategy and core competencies role into developing sustainable competitive advantage. Apart
from this, the uses and application of SWOT analysis is also discussed in this report.
MAIN BODY
SECTION 1
1.Critically compare and contrast the application of ‘prescriptive’ and ‘emergent’ approaches to
strategy and outline their role in the delivery of this aim. Whereas possible use examples
drawn from the literature to support points you put forward.
“Strategy is undertaken as comprehensive plan of action which determines the longer
period directions for firm as well as directs resources usages for attaining business objectives
along sustainable competitive edge”.
Strategies are much vital aspects of business which is essential for considering appropriate
and effectual decision for business. Additionally, the strategy refers to drawn out the bear of firm
as this activities to attain competitive advantage into imperative mind sets, various stakeholders
assumptions as well as modifying the environment of atmosphere. Moreover, it is crucial to
enhance business activities and aids to obtain competitive advantage over another competitive
advantage over other competitive firms. In addition to this, business strategies may be explained
as process or plan of action which is useful to evaluate longer term guidance to business in
effective and efficient way through utilisation of resources.
Furthermore, there is vulnerability as well as intricacy related to describing, developing and
implementing business strategy. This have been examined that with assistance of efficacious
1

tactics of respective firm would become competent or gaining competitive advantage upon other
competitive entities and maximise business activities in appropriate way. Additionally, strategy
may be formed following the emergent or prescriptive approach. In addition to this, strategic
planning describes towards a cycle while on other side firm’s inward and outer atmosphere are
procedures evaluated for fostering their tactics. In addition to this, it is essential for efficacious
tactics as it would assists to increase practices of business and attaining expected objectives. This
has been ascertained that there are several forms of organisational strategy approaches which are
efficient to render proper ways for conducting the business operations. Essentially, the two kinds
of strategies are prescriptive as well as emergent approach. Comparison and contrast among uses
of ‘prescriptive’ and ‘emergent’ approaches to strategies that has been described underneath:
Prescriptive approach, respective approach is related to the development of strategy which
may be explain as determinates and systematised procedures wherein several practices of firm
have been analysed relevantly and accurately. Additionally, the prescriptive cycle is direct; from
strategic research to tactics development as well as thereafter towards strategy implementation.
Consequently, strategic planning is represented as an arranged, objective, analysed interaction
which is reasonable for stabilised business atmosphere. This has been ascertained that the
performance of business and external factors of surroundings would drives towards developing
rational or longer term plans for business. Within formation of prescriptive approach for strategy
the higher authority haves power to take decisions and explain final intent and plans for
company. In addition to this, particular approaches have three manners to think such as planning
targeting and positioning. Also, the much common ways to define tactics would incorporate
negotiation as well as coordinating numerous conceptions conveyed into SBU’s business plan
before it coordinates within organisational management. In order to undertake the prescriptive
approach to strategic planning the vision, mission and core values of business are ascertained to
describe the goals before execution of strategies. this forms of strategy approach which involves
hierarchical structure from top to down and authoritative style of management that have been
undertaken with intent of rendering appropriate directions towards all staff of ventures. it also
suppose that appropriately analysis into prescriptive approach which would empowers firm to
become effective coordinated to fit into their business atmosphere. The key benefits of respective
approach are that it aids to coordinate the potential and strategic thinking. By it, firm would
2