Showing papers on "Strategic planning published in 1977"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a discussion on strategic business planning as a political process, where decisions are made and acted upon in processes involving individuals and sub-groupings, at various organizational levels, that develop into the pattern of thinking about the world, evaluating that world, and acting upon that world that is called as strategy.
Abstract: The article presents a discussion on strategic business planning as a political process. The formation of strategy in organizations is a continuous process. Specific dilemmas within the firm, or in the firm's environment, may raise the organization members' consciousness of strategy and allow financial analysts to think of strategy formulation as an intentional process built around certain discrete decisions; but strategy is being formed implicitly all the time. Choices are made and acted upon in processes involving individuals and sub-groupings, at various organizational levels, that develop into the pattern of thinking about the world, evaluating that world, and acting upon that world that is called as strategy. Study of the process of strategy formulation therefore involves analyses of both discrete and identifiable decision events and of the pathways to and outcomes of those decision events, together with the connections between successive decisions over time. Strategy formulation is contextually based. Strategy formulation can be understood as a process of political decision-making.
369 citations
01 Aug 1977
TL;DR: In a recent study, the authors found that the process by which strategic decisions are made in organizations has an underlying structure, and that it is our belief that this structure is the same as that of Mintzberg, Raisinghani and Theoret.
Abstract: In a recent study, Mintzberg, Raisinghani, and Theoret (1976) found that the process by which strategic decisions are made in organizations has an underlying structure. However, it is our belief th...
194 citations
TL;DR: This paper describes the results of a two-and-a-half year effort in proactive planning at the Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C. and the methodology that was utilized and developed to achieve those results.
Abstract: This paper describes the results of a two-and-a-half year effort in proactive planning at the Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C. Most large-scale organizations merely react to their future(s) instead of actively planning for and thus anticipating the future(s) they would like to bring about; would the Bureau be bold enough to try and break out of this pattern by engaging in what Ackoff and others have termed proactive or interactive planning? This paper not only describes the substantive results of the effort, but more importantly, the methodology that was utilized and developed to achieve those results. Approximately 120 self-selecting participants from all branches and levels of the Bureau (from secretaries to division heads to the Director) were first given the explicit instruction to think as freely as they could about the year 2000 (i.e., not to be hampered by current constraints in the internal or external environment) and to write out a scenario indicating what for them the Bureau should be l...
132 citations
TL;DR: The theoretical and empirical research literature on measurement of organization effectiveness reveals that empirical methodologies, developed primarily by psychologists and sociologists, do not adequately express the complexity of effectiveness measurement as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The theoretical and empirical research literature on measurement of organization effectiveness reveals that empirical methodologies, developed primarily by psychologists and sociologists, do not adequately express the complexity of effectiveness measurement. This article suggests a more accurate methodology, cautions researchers about over-simplifying concepts of effectiveness and offers directions for future research.
102 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors illustrate how an entity called a "strategic data base" (SDB) can be developed to provide important information in a form which makes it directly useful in various phases of a strategic planning process.
39 citations
TL;DR: The theory of strategic behavior as mentioned in this paper is formulated to fill a gap in the current management literature between a number of unidisciplinary, abstract, academic perceptions and a growing literature of prescriptive techniques for managing the relationship between complex organizations and turbulent environments.
Abstract: The theory of strategic behavior here described is formulated to fill a gap in the current management literature between a number of unidisciplinary, abstract, academic perceptions and a growing literature of prescriptive techniques for managing the relationship between complex organizations and turbulent environments. The task attempted is twofold: (1) to integrate the key, relevant, unidisciplinary, theoretical concepts into a multidisciplinary framework; and (2) to make this framework readily applicable to the solution of current and urgent managerial problems. At this time no attempt will be made to popularize the result in language acceptable to managers who have not had previous exposure to the key theoretical and problem-solving concepts found in the economic, sociological, and management literatures.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the structure of a linear programming model and how it is used in the strategic planning process by Cities Service Company, which is tailored to the needs of corporate planning and the nature of information available.
Abstract: Where capital rationing exists among on-going and proposed businesses, a firm cannot rank independent investments using any of the conventional evaluation methods [1]. The problem arises because of the thousands of individual investment opportunities, only a small fraction of which can be identified over a twenty-year planning period. The standard financial decision models are used in short-range tactical planning when future funds have been allocated and identifiable projects are being considered. For long-range planning, a linear programming approach can be used to find the level of investment in these businesses that will maximize the profitability of the company through time. Many institutions have adopted such corporate models [5, 7]. These models take many forms, but they are all used to generate more timely and accurate economic planning information. This paper describes the structure of a linear programming model and how it is used in the strategic planning process by Cities Service Company. The structure of the model used by Cities Service Company was tailored to the needs of corporate planning and the nature of information available. Corporate planning required a model that would depict levels of activity, risks, and opportunities in the company's diverse businesses according to the varying (and possibly conflicting) objectives of the corporation. This model was created to 1) select the best alternatives consistent with the objectives of the corporation and the available resources; 2) aggregate the forecasts and project corporate financial statistics; 3) determine the sensitivity of the selected alternatives to varying objectives and constraints; and 4) show cash bottlenecks for possible rescheduling of capital expenditures, projection of borrowing requirements, and anticipation of dividend capabilities.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of environmental changes on multinational business planning were studied through the medium of in-depth interviews with planners in a number of concerns, including shortening of time horizons and the increase in flexibility.
Book•
01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: An introduction to recreational land use, integrating interpretation and recreation, and developing and implementing an interpretive plan - the recreation experience.
Abstract: An introduction to recreational land use. Definition and evolution. Recreation provision for public use. Consideration of sites for recreational uses. References. The institutional framework of public sector provision of recreation. National organizations. Local authority provision. Management and the legal environment. Sources of legal authority. Civil and criminal law contrasted. The law relating to land and land tenure. The law relating to contractual relations. The law of Tort. Statute. Land use planning and environmental control. Access. Fiscal policy. Market analysis and consumer behaviour. 'Product' definition - the recreation experience. Conventional economic approaches to demand analysis. Behavioural approaches to demand analysis. Consumer behaviour. Market-led management. Resource evaluation. The role of land in the production function. Location factors. Site attraction. Carrying capacity. Judgement of non-financial values. Environmental impact assessment. Management planning. Strategic planning. Managing for quality. Site planning and design. Financial planning and investment. Pricing. Promotion. Enterprise selection. Ancillary enterprises. Site monitoring and control. Commissioning the enterprise. The policy statement. Visitor flow patterns. Quality criteria. Maintenance policy. Translating results. Financial monitoring and control. Performance measurement. Management ratios. Cost analysis. Commerical thresholds. Taxation. Budgeting and measures of performance. Preparation and use of budgets. Example budget. Management indices. Examples of performance ratios. Record sheets. Interpretation. Background. Integrating interpretation and recreation. Developing and implementing an interpretive plan. Performance appraisal and review. Conclusion.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a study of the planning function in five major U.S. corporations and found that none of the five engaged in true strategic planning, based on the environmental, organizational, and managerial characteristics of the firms.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that chief executive officers and staff planners must more explicitly integrate change planning with the other dimensions of merger planning (e.g., financial, marketing) if implementation is to be successful.
TL;DR: In this paper, Assumption and values characteristic of organization development are identified and discussed, after defining the mainstream of OD, and some implications of OD philosophy and practice are criticized, while some assumptions and values are defined and discussed.
Abstract: Assumptions and values characteristic of organization development (OD) are identified and discussed, after defining the mainstream of OD. Some implications of OD philosophy and practice are criticized.
01 Aug 1977
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the interrelationships among environmental changes and strategic decision variables with each other and short term success for 358 large business firms over a 45-year period and found that environmental changes were correlated with short-term success.
Abstract: This study examines the interrelationships among environmental changes and strategic decision variables with each other and short term success for 358 large business firms over a 45 years period. S...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the problems to be dealt with in strategic planning are produced by groups of people who either can affect or are affected by the output of an organization.
Abstract: The systems approach to strategic planning has been gaining popularity in recent years but it seems that little has been done to develop the techniques required for implementing this approach. This is particularly the case in the problem identification phase of strategic planning. The systems approach requires that one identify all problems and study their relationships before solving any one problem, but little has been said about how to identify the complex set of problems to be dealt with in a planning process. In this article we argue that the problems to be dealt with in strategic planning are produced by groups of people who either can affect or are affected by the output of an organization. From this it follows that problem identification consists of identifying these groups and their possible actions and ranking the most important groups and their most probable actions so that a study of the effects of these actions can be undertaken. This paper describes a method used at a consumer goods manufact...
01 May 1977
TL;DR: In this article, a postcast of General Electric's strategic planning process from 1971 to 1976 focuses on the results of strategic leadership and corporate resource allocation in a large diversified enterprise.
Abstract: In this article, a practicing planner looks back instead of forward. This five‐year “postcast” of General Electric's strategic planning process from 1971 to 1976 focuses on the results of strategic leadership and corporate resource allocation in a large diversified enterprise.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify a number of trends in environmental policy around the world and assesses their significance for MNC product, project, environmental affairs, and strategic planning, and conclude that these trends call for significant changes in the way MNCs plan their new products and plants, organize environmental management, and design global strategies.
Abstract: Multinational corporations are currently confronted with a diverse array of rapidly changing national environmental policies. This article identifies a number of trends in environmental policy around the world and assesses their significance for MNC product, project, environmental affairs, and strategic planning. National environmental policies are seen as becoming better integrated with other resource and social policies, predominantly "preventive" in their emphasis, focused on the impacts of products in their entire life cycles, catalyzed through the efforts of supranational organizations, and diffused more rapidly and widely across borders. These trends call for significant changes in the way MNCs plan their new products and plants, organize environmental management, and design global strategies.
TL;DR: The need for better decision making, and therefore better planning and forecasting, implies that forecasting techniques should be selected in relation to the business environment and planning issues addressed.
Abstract: The need for better decision making, and therefore better planning and forecasting, implies that forecasting techniques should be selected in relation to the business environment and planning issues addressed. Forecasting techniques are categorized according to generic functions of forecasting. The applicability of each category is related to planning needs of a specific business situation, providing a conceptual framework for the development of appropriate forecasting program specifications.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a procedure for elaboration of a strategic plan in Brazilian R&D Institutes, based on the Service/Client Matrix and the sources and uses of funds statement.
01 Sep 1977
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated and quantified the current state of productivity in the construction of transportation facilities and identified the areas having the largest potential economic returns and the greatest needs where research could lead to improvements in technology and management for improved productivity.
Abstract: Specific objectives for the study included the following: (1) Evaluate and quantify the current state of productivity in the construction of transportation facilities; (2) determine areas having the largest potential economic returns and the greatest needs where research could lead to improvements in technology and management for improved productivity; (3) assess present and potential interests and capabilities of institutions and individuals that could do such research in transportation construction; (4) explore incentives and improved mechanisms for implementing findings that would result from expanded research efforts; (5) develop means for evaluating the impact that policy, contractual and technical decision-making in the planning and design stages has on capital costs in the construction phase.
TL;DR: This article presented a book called Strategic Planning for MIS, a collection of selected readings of essays and monographs, where the editors, at best, appended a hundred words or so at the beginning of each chapter alleging to put it into context.
Abstract: With all my prejudices showing, I approached Strategic Planning for MIS. When the book was presented to me for review, I was told that it was a collection of selected readings. This caused me to want to reject it out-of-hand, for I could not stomach another collection of essays or monographs, connected loosely with an all-encompassing title, and where the editors, at best, appended a hundred words or so at the beginning of each chapter alleging to put it into context. I felt I could not psych myself up to struggle through a dozen different styles of writing, often times photo-reproduced from the original, thus displaying a dozen different type fonts replete with hand-drawn diagrams. I just was not in the mood for another "cheap shot" at a book by two editors.
01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: In this paper, six related models for strategic planning are formulated, including upper and lower bounds on land use activity, the stratification of trip ends, capacities to represent bottlenecks in the transport system, flow dependent travel impedances, and 'dummy' links to appraise modal split possibilities.
Abstract: Six related models for strategic planning are formulated. These constraints include upper and lower bounds on land use activity, the stratification of trip ends, capacities to represent bottlenecks in the transport system, flow dependent travel impedances, and 'dummy' links to appraise modal split possibilities. The implication of these models is demonstrated with simple hypothetical examples or with results obtained from analysing data collected for the journey to work in metropolitan Sydney and in several towns (of varying size) in the uk. A short discussion of the role of these models in strategic planning is presented.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the development and use of a simple technique to assist in attaining a long-term balance between the different activities of research in pharmaceutical R&D.
Abstract: Within the financial and technical objectives of pharmaceutical R & D, an important sub-goal is the maintenance of a long-term balance between the different activities of research. Such a balance provides stability and, by ensuring a high utilization of research man-power, offers a higher output from a given level of investment. This paper describes the development and use of a simple technique to assist in attaining this balance. The performance of a strategic plan, in both the long- and short-term, is assessed, and the scope for corrective action to deal with deviations from the plan is explored. The flexibility and robustness of suitable strategic plans are demonstrated by the use of simulation.
01 Aug 1977
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore several faulty assumptions about consulting held by academicians and review some of the more critical elements that help make a consultant effective, and present a foundation for t...
Abstract: This paper explores several faulty assumptions about consulting held by academicians and reviews some of the more critical elements that help make a consultant effective. A foundation is laid for t...
TL;DR: A research model is developed for obtaining higher levels of productivity and quality in hospital departments and a challenge is issued to the management community for more research on hospital productivity.
Abstract: Productivity improvement has a role in holding down escalating costs of hospital services. A research model is developed for obtaining higher levels of productivity and quality in hospital departments. A challenge is issued to the management community for more research on hospital productivity.