Choice, chance and inevitability in strategy

Citation

de Rond, M. (2007), "Choice, chance and inevitability in strategy", Strategic Direction, Vol. 23 No. 9. https://doi.org/10.1108/sd.2007.05623iad.001

Choice, chance and inevitability in strategy

Choice, chance and inevitability in strategy

de Rond M., Thietart R.-A. Strategic Management Journal, May 2007, Vol. 28 No. 5, Start page: 535, No. of pages: 17

Purpose – To determine the extent to which strategic decisions reflect free-will choices rather than circumstances. Design/methodology/approach – Discusses the relationship between strategic choice, chance and determinism or inevitability, drawing attention to the notion that determinism undermines freedom of choice. Explains that in strategy scholarship, the turn determinism is typically used to describe “that which constrains and also informs choice”, referred to in this article as “causal background”. Seeks to articulate a philosophically justified theory of strategic choice that corroborates experience and to synthesize the debate on the role and relation of choice, chance and determinism. Uses the case of Viagra as a contemporary empirical illustration of the roles of strategic choice, chance and causal background in strategic innovation. Reviews the literature, identifying deterministic and choice approaches to strategy and attempts at reconciliation. Discusses strategy as the interaction of complex processes, introducing four conjectures. Argues that causality is a necessary condition for freedom of choice; that chance coincidences can open up new avenues for future choices; that strategic choice is itself insufficient to account for strategy; and that causal backgrounds are necessary in order to interpret and exploit chance events. Points out that strategic choice can only ever be understood in terms of its relevant social and material context. Observes that causal relations of homogeneity, heterogeneity and independence are, by definition, intrinsically relative, expressing a relationship. Originality/value – Provides a rationally justifiable theory of choice that corroborates experience of choice and leads to a causal model linking strategic choice, chance and inevitability.ISSN: 0143-2095Reference: 36AK056

Keywords: Business environment, Decision making, Strategic choice, Uncertainty management