Business Strategy: Comprehensive Review of Journal Articles

This report presents a comprehensive review of five journal articles focused on various aspects of business strategy. The first article examines Porter's Generic Strategies, analyzing their relationship with external preconditions and competitive advantage. The second article explores a methodology for implementing business strategies, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and understanding driving forces. The third and fourth articles delve into the impact of organizational culture on strategy formulation, particularly in South African firms. These articles highlight the influence of culture on organizational growth and the need to align strategies with cultural contexts. The final article focuses on strategic management within the hospitality industry, analyzing its importance in responding to environmental changes and proactive decision-making. Each article review includes the purpose, theoretical framework, methodology, data analysis, findings, and contribution to business strategy theories, providing a detailed overview of key concepts and their practical applications.

Running head: BUSINESS STRATEGY
Business Strategy
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Table of Contents
Article 1...........................................................................................................................................1
Article 2...........................................................................................................................................2
Article 3...........................................................................................................................................4
Article 4...........................................................................................................................................5
Article 5...........................................................................................................................................7
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................9

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Article 1
Business Strategy- Journal Article Review
Title of the Article A Contingency View of Porter’s “Generic Strategies”
Date of
Publication/Volume and
Issue
1988
Purpose: What Does the
article set out to do?
The aim of the article is to link the Porter’s Generic Strategies with the
external preconditions
Theory: Does the article
use any theoretical
framework related to
Business Strategy? If
yes, explain the
framework briefly
Yes, the article review the Porter’s Generic Strategy framework to explain the
possibility of view related to the topic.
The theory explains the profitability of a firm depending on the position that
the firm holds in the industry it operates. The profitability mentioned in this
strategy is above average profit. To gain such profit, the firm has to gain
competitive advantage over other firms. The framework is in a matrix format
with four variables such as cost leadership, differentiation, cost focus and
differentiation focus. These variables are categorized under two broad
strategies such as competitive advantage and competitive scope.
Methodology: What
methodology have the
authors used to collect
the data?
The article has viewed past literatures provided by various scholars on the
topic. It has given a contingency view on the Generic Strategies given by
various scholars. Thus, the methodology used secondary data and analysis has
be done on a qualitative basis. It has attempted to do a theoretical review on
the topic. Literature review has been done in various sections to get a detailed
information about the topic

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Data Analysis: How was
the data analyzed?
Data was analyzed in a descriptive manner. Findings from the literature
review have been done in a descriptive manner. This is because a descriptive
analysis helped the author to write the findings in details to make it easier for
the reader to understand. Descriptive analysis is helpful for any kind of
analysis as it discusses every minute point of the findings.
Findings and conclusion The finding from the research shows that Generic Strategy is one of the most
interesting strategies as it helps in differentiating the strategies used by much
successful firms compared to strategies used by their less successful
competitors. However, according to the research, the concept seems to be
confusing as it fails to explain the usage of the strategy by the organization.
How did the article
contribute to the theories
and concepts of Business
Strategy?
The article explained the Porter’s Generic Strategy in details to explain the
complexity of the theory and the usefulness of the theory in the business to
gain competitive advantage.
Article 2
Business Strategy- Journal Article Review
Title of the Article Making Strategy: Learning By Doing
Date of
Publication/Volume and
Issue
November-December 1997
Purpose: What Does the
article set out to do?
The articles aims at offering a methodology that can be widely used by the
executives to implement different types of strategy in the business.
Theory: Does the article The article provides a theoretical framework that addresses various driving

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use any theoretical
framework related to
Business Strategy? If
yes, explain the
framework briefly
force of the business such as economic, demographic, technological and other.
It further defines the importance of knowing the threat and opportunities of
the business. Another theoretical framework that the article explains is
brainstorming the driving forces of the business by the managers to
implement certain strategy.
Methodology: What
methodology have the
authors used to collect
the data?
The article has used survey of a company and qualitative data to explain the
importance of strategy. The article gave the strategy that the manager of
Butterfield Fabrics uses. The company introduced various new strategy in
business as it faced rising cost in its production.
Data Analysis: How was
the data analyzed?
Analysis of the collected information about the strategy used by the company
has been done in a descriptive manner. Each and every strategy of the
company has been explained in details and in the way, the managers of the
company reacted with the rising cost of the company. The Strategies used by
the company has been represented in a mapping manner in order to give a
clear picture to the reader. Moreover, it explained the benefits such mapping
of strategies has on the organization.
Findings and conclusion Findings of the paper show that for a good management, to be competent in
the market, it is necessary to carry out a strong strategy in the operation. For
the purpose, the company requires to develop a strategic plan for themselves.
This is because a successful plan helps the mangers to play an active role in
the cultivating competence in the strategic decision-making. Moreover, it is
important to define the driving force of the business from time to time to get a
strong hand over the strategy that they are planning. Thus, making the process
an integral part of their business will help them to become strategic thinkers.
How did the article
contribute to the theories
The articles has offered a detailed analysis about the importance of strategic

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and concepts of Business
Strategy?
thinking and realizing the driving forces of the business.
Article 3
Business Strategy- Journal Article Review
Title of the Article It’s What’s Inside: Impact of Culture On Strategy Making
Date of
Publication/Volume and
Issue
1970
Purpose: What Does the
article set out to do?
The purpose of the paper is to offer a details knowledge about the impact of
culture on organizational growth and performance.
Theory: Does the article
use any theoretical
framework related to
Business Strategy? If
yes, explain the
framework briefly
The article offers a theatrical discussion about the implication cultures have
on the organization while making strategic formulation. Cultureis oneof the
important factor that has critical impact on the organization and its decisions.
The article is successful in explaining the alteration that the company has to
make in its strategic planning according to the culture.
Methodology: What
methodology have the
authors used to collect
the data?
The article has used a qualitative data in the form of literature review to
analyze the effect of culture on the organization. The literature review has
been offered in various sub-heads such as organizational culture, relevant
model of culture, impact of culture on the business operations and decisions
and others.
Data Analysis: How was
the data analyzed?
Analysis of the data has been done in a descriptive and detailed manner. The
Detail and facts collected from past literature has been discussed in details to

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reach on a result. The findings have been summed up and a final analysis has
been given based on the facts.
Findings and conclusion The arguments and critical analysis of the literature has summed up and it has
been stated that culture is important for the organization and play a crucial
part in designing the strategies of the organization. From the literature, it has
been seen that different individual differently conceives culture; however
people are the consistent part. As the people are indifferent and their choice
differs, their behavior affects the organization in different way. Thus culture is
considered as an secret power of the organization that can help in formulating
unique strategy
How did the article
contribute to the theories
and concepts of Business
Strategy?
The paper has been to offer a detailed knowledge about the role culture play
in the organization. However, the paper does provide a scope for further
investigation on the ways culture can help in getting performance-based
results.
Article 4
Business Strategy- Journal Article Review
Title of the Article The relationship between organizational culture and strategy formulation in
South African firms
Date of
Publication/Volume and
Issue
2002
Purpose: What Does the
article set out to do?
The aim of the paper is to analyze the relationship between organizational
culture and strategic formulation in South African firms.

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Theory: Does the article
use any theoretical
framework related to
Business Strategy? If
yes, explain the
framework briefly
The paper has successfully offered a theoretical framework on organizational
culture. This theory has been applied successfully on the South African firms
to see whether these companies apply the cultural framework in their work
culture.
Methodology: What
methodology have the
authors used to collect
the data?
The methodology chosen for the research was primary research by collecting
data from South African firms. Both public andprivate companies were
chosen for the research. Moreover, Matrix Marketing used a simple random
sampling method to choose population. A survey method has been used in
which the employees of these firms were asked questions with the help of a
questionnaire. Qualitative study has also been carried out by reviewing past
literature.
Data Analysis: How was
the data analyzed?
Cronbach’s alpha was used to offer a reliability of such a method. Analysis is
done in a quantitative manner ad result has been presented by stating the
acceptance of the hypothesis. A tabulated format has been used to present the
test result of dependent variables. A descriptive analysis has also been
provided for passed literatures.
Findings and conclusion Findings of the research show that culture has a long reaching effect on the
strategy and operation of the business. Thus, businesses should align their
strategy with the culture. Organization should have a detailed knowledge
about their internal culture and link it effectively with the changes. Thus,
strategy selection should not only depend on the financial situation of the
company, it should also focus on the cultural background.
How did the article
contribute to the theories
The paper has successfully contributed to the relationship between culture and
organizational strategy with the help of both primary and secondary research.