In achieving the primary research objective, three supporting sub-objectives were identified: (1) the development of a holistic decision support framework that serves as a guiding framework in formulating the intended decision support model, (2) the development and validation of an Alpha design support model for growth strategies, and (3) providing a beta design support model for growth strategies through the refinement of the Alpha design model. They analyzed the data collection process and development stages of the Alpha design artifact.
Background
They need to work together as the organizations interact with many different stakeholders as they operate in numerous countries and regions (Guerrero-Villegas, 2019). Guerrero-Villegas emphasizes that the internal and external changes that have taken place in the business world require managers to reflect on how they perceive the organization and its many relationships with different stakeholder groups.
Perspectives on growth strategies
CIMA explains that the environment in which the organization operates affects not only what they do, but also their sustainability prospects. In line with the foregoing, an organization's strategy is influenced not only by environmental forces and strategic capabilities, but also by the values and expectations of those who hold power in and around the organization.
SWOT and PESTLE analysis
SWOT analysis
Katsioloudes (2006) defines strengths as constructive characteristics or skills unique to an organization that in one way or another enhance the organization's skills in achieving its planned goals. Weaknesses: Thompson and Martin (2010) define a weakness as something that an organization lacks or does inadequately or a condition that puts it at a disadvantage in the marketplace.
PESTLE analysis
Lack of support or infrastructure to achieve this can have detrimental consequences on the success of strategy execution. Technological factors can be divided into key areas such as automation, cost savings, outsourcing, increased networking capabilities, the evasive side of technology evolution (Sarwar et al., 2016).
Interaction between SWOT and PESTLE
It is never enough to have the results of a SWOT and PESTLE analysis in hand. More important is how decision makers use this information to formulate their growth strategies to achieve increased market share, higher profits and positive business expansion.
The business case considerations
Research justification and motivation
However, since the organization's resources are limited and dependent on conventional financial performance indicators, a channel to market that represents both organization-owned agreements and agency contracts will need to be considered. This will require the organization to take a strategic view of its short-term investment priorities in Mozambique in order to create sustainable growth and representation in the long term.
Problem statement and research objective
The researcher worked with the organization for several years as head of special projects and territory manager. Although this study focuses on the desired expansion of the organization in Mozambique, the ultimate goal is to develop a flexible artifact in such a way that it can also be used in the goals of expanding the organization to other parts of the African continent and beyond.
Research design overview
Literature review
Hart (2009) states that a review of the literature is essential as it forms the basic knowledge of the research problem and topic under consideration. Relevant parts of the literature study will be incorporated into the relevant sections and chapters throughout the study.
Empirical research
The stakeholder theory is aware of the demands of the internal and external stakeholders, and the stewardship theory is aware of corporate governance. The selection of participants was largely centered on their shareholder, senior management or expat status, the markets in which they operate and their reliance on a stable economic environment. The sample size decision was based on the non-probability sampling criteria and therefore kept relatively small.
Anticipated research contribution
In an effort to develop the predicted model, this research will evaluate the bad business problem using the eADR approach. A growth strategy support model that emphasizes the perceived importance of variable factors that directly affect stakeholders (internal and external) and the administration function (corporate governance) will empower decision makers to address these factors in the process of strategy development.
Ethical considerations
Before deciding to internationalize, the organization must consider and analyze aspects such as the situation of the organization itself, the products it wants to commercialize, the available resources, the proximity and knowledge of the market it is targeting, and the risks to to carry from this process (Guerrero-Villegas, 2019). The growth strategy support model will be aligned with Guerrero-Villegas' reasons for investing and expanding into new areas, including extending product and technology life cycles, reducing business costs, gaining access to new resources, improving brand image and growth outside a saturated market.
Layout of the study
The key objective of this chapter is to develop an alpha design version of the Growth Strategy Support Conceptual Model based on the aforementioned decision support framework and further developed intelligence. The key objective of this chapter is to improve the beta-design version of the predicted growth strategy support model based on the previously mentioned Alpha-design model, together with the newly developed intelligence.
Chapter summary
In this connection, a supporting literature study will be carried out on growth strategy theories, as the underlying building blocks in strategic planning and strategy development. In this connection, a supporting literature study will be carried out on strategy development, as the underlying building block in strategic visions.
Chapter introduction
Background
Research process
- Research philosophy
- Research approach
- Research strategy
- Research design
In the context of this study, it is therefore of strategic importance that the mindset of the investor is long-term focused (stewardship theory), rather than on short-term profits (agency theory). Sein et al., (2011) simplify that this principle emphasizes the inseparable influences exerted mutually by the domains of the artifact and the.
Data sampling and collection
A further observation is that the eADR process can be accessed at multiple entry points, viz. in the phase of diagnosis, planning, implementation and/or development, depending on the actual situation. According to the qualitative research case study design, eight business sectors represented by ten managers from seven different business sectors in Mozambique were selected to participate in the research questionnaire.
Data analysis techniques
For the purposes of this project, the researcher used a combination of current and possibly less current sources, with most sources being from the past decade. Due to the iterative nature of the eADR approach, the research was peer-reviewed through detailed discussions with colleagues in the same field, which provided some validity.
Chapter summary
The article was researched and written by the 1st author as PhD candidate and primary author, while the 2nd author performed a review function as promoter of the PhD research project. In line with the methodology explained, this chapter describes the first phase of the proposed growth strategy support model and focuses specifically on the diagnosis phase of the eADR research approach as described in the previous chapter.
Research problem and contextualisation
Stakeholder considerations
Strategy considerations
Research method: Problem diagnosis
Problem-centred eADR phase
In conducting the research, the researcher relied on a true-to-life approach that included interviews, observations and an analysis of selected contributors to the Mozambican economy. All the participants were external stakeholders in the broader value chain context of the case study organization.
Application of ADR principles: Diagnosis phase
The design of the framework carried out in the inclusive context of stakeholder and stewardship theories, with the analysis of operating environments using PESTLE and SWOT analysis principles. As such, the framework must be relevant, usable and therefore implementable in the organization.
Empirical research findings
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Most of the participants felt that seasonal climate is changing, although it is severe at times. During the interviews it was clear that there was a lack of market intelligence available and that the participants were all interested in the findings of the study.
Chapter summary
In light of the above, and due to current developments in Mozambique's economy, it is recommended that the organization not only utilizes the framework, but also monitors it on an ongoing basis and analyzes new data that may become apparent. The next chapter will build on the knowledge gained in this chapter and will present the first iteration of the growth strategy support model.
Chapter introduction
Research problem and contextualisation
Define and detail the activities that will address the relevance and impact of the elements in the selected analysis tools. According to the principles of the theoretical framework, project participants are stakeholders and the benefits of information creation (value) should be shared as a mutual benefit.
Research method: Alpha-design
Objective-centred eADR phase
Mullarkey and Hevner (2018) state that a key contribution of the design phase is the close integration of artifact construction and evaluation in context. According to Sein et al. 2011), practitioners with first-hand experience of the project have opportunities to influence the design.
Application of ADR principles: Alpha-design phase
Chapter 3 defined the "wicked" problem so that we can now continue to focus on developing the Alpha design. The first column of Table 4.2 demonstrates the application of ADR principles, while the second column accounts for the applications followed during the Alpha design phase.
Empirical research findings
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Research aim
- Methods
- Results: Empirical analysis
- Results: Artefact creation
- Discussion
- Conclusion
For the purpose of this paper, the political category of the PESTLE analysis is used to illustrate the design of the model. This occurred twice out of the 44 questions used in the model design, representing a participation rate of 95.5% of the questions used.
Chapter summary
Due to the nature of Mozambique's economic and business environment, there is a definite need for reliable, relevant and current market intelligence. The process followed included data collection and analysis, transformation of data into actionable, quantitative intelligence, and a model creation process.
Chapter introduction
Research problem and contextualisation
Identify and detail activities that will address the relevance and impact of the elements in the selected analysis tools. This phase will also make use of the researcher-practitioner concept to refine the intended model.
Research method: Beta-design
Objective-centred eADR phase
As mentioned, Beta-design is the second iteration of the previously supported growth strategy model, which was based on the work highlighted in the diagnostic phase (for Chapter 3) and in the first phase of the Alpha design iteration ( for Chapter 4). . The objective of this iteration is to improve the Alpha-design version of the predicted growth strategy support model.
Application of ADR principles
With the possible exception of using a new team of industry participants, which resulted in updating and improving the model, the application of the eADR approach in the context of this iteration is very similar to that of the Alpha design phase. The knowledge gained from the Alpha design phase allowed the researcher to make an iterative review of the overall development process in the Beta design phase.
Empirical research findings
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Methods
- Conclusion
Some advantages and disadvantages (assumptions) of the Alpha design phase, as motivation for the Beta design phase, are presented in Figure 5.6. This commentary revolves around relating the findings of the SWOT analysis to the findings of the PESTLE analysis.
Chapter summary
A team of researchers and practitioners worked through the data collection process, the development stages of the Alpha-design artifact, and shared reflections on the discretionary weights used. From these discussions and a review of the design phase of the alpha model, it was clear that it had some opportunities that could be explored further.
Introduction
Research summary
- Objectives
- Sub-objective 1: Developing a channel strategy decision-support framework
- Sub-objective 2: Developing a growth-strategy support model: Alpha-design
- Sub-objective 3: Developing a growth-strategy support model: Beta-design
In summary, the findings of the SWOT and PESTLE analyzes were mentioned in the conclusion of the decision support framework for the development of the growth strategy support model. The topic in this section was focused on the alpha phase of the model design.
Concluding comments
Synopsis
Reflections on stratagems
Therefore, the researcher believes that when an organization plans to invest or expand in a developing country and takes into account the high levels of uncertainty associated with it, it would be better for them to take the approach of a strategy over that of a conventional strategy . While a strategy aims to achieve the organization's goals through the intelligent allocation of resources, the researcher believes that this approach will be more appropriate for a developed (sustainable) economy with sufficient market intelligence at its disposal.
Chapter summary
Limitations and future research suggestions
In developing the decision support framework, key factors were identified, evaluated and ranked in order of severity. Due to the potential volatility in the political arena, predicting the actions and reactions of political parties is difficult.
