Week 1 – Individual Assignment

MBA717-Strategic Development

Mekondjo Shuumbi
R1805D5297744
Accountant
Master of Business Administration - Finance - ZM UU-MBA717
Marieta Efthymiou
28/03/2021
According to Alfred D. Chandler (1962) state that defined strategy as the determination of the
basic long-term goals and objectives of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action
and the allocation of resources for carrying out these goals.

What is Deliberate Strategy?

According to Mintzberg, Henry, and James (1989) define that deliberate strategy is a top
down approach to strategic planning that emphasize intention. This is founded on the
organization's vision and mission, and it's just about getting the job done. According to
Michael Porter(2015) emphasized that businesses should strive to achieve one of the
following positions in order to achieve a competitive advantage (Michael Porter 2015).
According to Mintzberg, Henry, and James (1989) state that deliberate strategy attempts to
minimize outside influence acting on business operations. For example, I start each day with
a clear goal in mind to learn from my mistakes, track myself, and find areas for improvement,
while my personal gym coach directs and motivates me to start training with that goal in
mind, and give the practice your full attention.

What is Emergent Strategy?

According to Mintzberg, Henry, and James(1989) state that a emergent strategy is the process
of identifying unforeseen outcomes from the execution of strategy and then learning to
incorporate those unexpected outcomes into future corporate plans by taking a bottom up
approach to management. Henry Mintzberg introduced the concept of emergent strategy since
he did not agree with the concept of deliberate strategy put forward by Michael Porter.
For instance since it was easier for Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, to operate, he
designed his stores close to his first store in rural settings rather than in heavily populated
cities.
The main difference between deliberate and emergent strategy is the process of finding
unanticipated outcomes from strategy implementation and then learning to integrate those
unanticipated outcomes into future organizational strategies by taking a bottom-up approach
while deliberate strategy is a top-down approach to strategic planning that focuses on
achieving a specific business goal.
Conclusion
According to Mintzberg, Henry, and James(1989) state The difference between deliberate
and emergent strategy is clear, and companies may use either approach to develop their
strategy. Owing to many unexpected changes in the market world, adopting a deliberate
strategy is difficult; however, gaining a competitive advantage using this method is not
impossible. Emergent strategy, on the other hand, is a more adaptable approach to strategy.
Reference List

Chandler, Alfred Jr. (1962). Strategy and Structure: Chapters in the History of the American

Industrial Enterprise. MIT.

Michael Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies for Early Stage Tech Startups.” Innovation

Footprints. N.p., 22 Aug. 2015. Web. 05 Apr. 2017. ”Notes on Strategy;

Porter’s Generic Strategies: Choosing Your Route to Success.” Strategy Skills from

MindTools.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.

Emergent Strategy.” Interaction Institute for Social Change. N.p., 11 Sept. 2012. Web. 06

Apr. 2017.

Mintzberg, Henry, and James A. Waters. “Of Strategies, Deliberate and Emergent.”

Readings in Strategic Management (1989): 4-19. Web.