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Molecular, structural firm adaptations to environments: empirical Tao of the CEO

Check‐Teck Foo (School of Mechanics and Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
Peter McKiernan (School of Management, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK)

Chinese Management Studies

ISSN: 1750-614X

Article publication date: 23 January 2007

610

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate CEOs as leaders in manufacturing organizations. The focus is on the roles of CEOs in organizational adaptations to changing and continuously evolving external environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is grounded on a conceptual theory of molecular structuring inside organizations. The authors then investigate CEOs' leadership roles. For this purpose a long established Singapore perceptual database of corporate productivity practices is utilized. Two contrasting samples (N=65) of high and low adaptability manufacturing firms are obtained. Statistical technique of Pearson product correlation yields intriguing, contrasting patterns of findings. On the basis of these results, we then discuss the roles of CEOs in highly adaptive versus lowly adaptive manufacturing firms.

Findings

The results are seen through the lenses of molecular structuring of organizations suggest a sharp contrast in the nature of the roles of CEOs. In organizations that are highly adaptive, there is much closer interactions. In the lowly adaptive, CEOs seem uninvolved, staying aloof from core operations of their firms.

Research limitations/implications

Since, the contrasting samples are from within the manufacturing sector, these insights are particularly relevant to China as a global manufacturing centre.

Originality/value

This is the first paper of its kind to empirically validate the prescriptions of Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese sage and author of the 2,500 years old Tao Te Ching.

Keywords

Citation

Foo, C. and McKiernan, P. (2007), "Molecular, structural firm adaptations to environments: empirical Tao of the CEO", Chinese Management Studies, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 6-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506140710735436

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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