Implementing International Strategy at the Business Unit Level: The Role of Managerial Decision-Making Characteristics

Abstract

Several recent studies have examined the managerial characteristics associated with different strategy types. This research extends these studies by identifying the decision-making characteristics of top level management that are related to the strategic archetypes for competing in a global industry. The utility of three decision-making characteristics-risk taking, openness in decision making, and group consensus-are evaluated for global and multidomestic strategies. A contingency framework is also proposed, examining the simultaneousfit of all three characteristics to both international strategy types. Support was found for increased organizational performance as the decision-making characteristics are aligned more closely to the requirements of the organization's international strategy.