They explore a variety of situations from giant multinationals down to small businesses, across a wide range of business sectors, and address all the major themes and issues in strategic management in Europe today. Based on a sample of corporations in Europe, Japan and US, it is shown that external acquisition of technology through various strategies increases in importance in general. Product case studies further show that external acquisition of technology is associated with technology diversification into increasingly costly new technologies. Strategic planning has never been the same as strategic thinking, nor has it been about creating strategic visions. Organizations disenchanted with strategic planning should think twice before they get rid of their planners.
Conventional planners can find new roles in the strategy making process.
The turmoil and spectacle of business in the 1980s put corporate finance in the headlines - and in the courtroom. The turbulence has subsided, but the need for sound financial management hasn't. In fact, its importance is greater than ever. In this collection, astute financial stewardship of large and small companies is examined from various angles, including fit with strategy, growth rates, shareholder value analysis, and capital investment. The emphasis throughout is on financial support of internal company growth.