en pl
en pl

Central European Management Journal

Show issue
Year 2016 
Volume 24 
Issue 1

Relationships Between Miles and Snow Strategic Types and Organizational Performance in Polish Production Companies

Tomasz Ingram
University of Economics in Katowice

Teresa Kraśnicka
University of Economics in Katowice

Martyna Wronka-Pośpiech
University of Economics in Katowice

Grzegorz Głód
University of Economics in Katowice

Wojciech Głód
University of Economics in Katowice

2016 24 (1) Central European Management Journal

DOI 10.7206/jmba.ce.2450-7814.162

Abstract

Purpose: Miles and Snow’s conception of strategic types is the most popular and extensively studied typology of strategic choices. Consequently, in recent years it has been related to organizational performance measures. Despite numerous studies conducted in different environmental and organizational settings, the research results of relationships between strategic types and organizational performance are ambiguous. In this paper, we seek to advance the knowledge regarding how a chosen strategic type affects organizational performance measures in the transition economy of Poland.

Methodology: Using quantitative research results, on the basis of data from 96 organizations we statistically test four research hypotheses.

Findings: Research results reveal the existence of “clear” strategic types in majority of companies but highlight moderately strong relationships between declared strategic type and organizational performance. In turn, they suggest that Prospector and analyzer strategic types promise slightly higher performance than Reactor and Defender types.

Originality: This research project on strategic types in SMEs in a transition economy is one of few dealing with this topic that have been conducted in Eastern European countries to date.

References

  1. Akingbola, K. (2006). Strategic choices and change in non-profit organizations. Strategic Change, 15(6): 265–281, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsc.772 [Google Scholar]
  2. Andrews, R., Boyne, G.A., Law, J. and Walker, R.M. (2009). Strategy, structure and process in the public sector. A test of the Miles and Snow model. Public Administration, 87(4): 732–49, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9299.2009.01760.x [Google Scholar]
  3. Ansoff, H.I. (1987). The emerging paradigm of strategic behavior. Strategic Management Journal, 8(6): 501–515, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250080602 [Google Scholar]
  4. Antoncic, B. and Hisrich, R.D. (2003). Privatization, corporate entrepreneurship, and performance: Testing a normative model. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 8(3): 197–218. [Google Scholar]
  5. Aragón-Sánchez, A. and Sánchez-Marín, G. (2005). Strategic orientation, management characteristics, and performance: A study of Spanish SMEs. Journal of Small Business Management, 43(3): 287–308, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-627X.2005.00138.x [Google Scholar]
  6. Buchko, A.A. (1994). Conceptualization and measurement of environmental uncertainty: An assessment of the Miles and Snow perceived environmental uncertainty scale. Academy of Management Journal, 37(2): 410–425, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/256836 [Google Scholar]
  7. Conant, J.S., Mokwa, M.P. and Varadarajan P.R. (1990). Strategic types, distinctive marketing competencies and organizational performance: A multiple measures based study. Strategic Management Journal, 11(5), 365–383, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250110504 [Google Scholar]
  8. Csepeti, A. (2010). Research issues of Miles and Snow strategic typology. Budapest Management Review, 41(11): 15–30. [Google Scholar]
  9. DeSarbo, W., Di Bendetto, A., Song, M. and Sinha, I. (2005). Revisiting the Miles and Snow strategic framework: Uncovering interrelationships between strategic types, capabilities, environmental uncertainty, and firm performance. Strategic Management Journal, 26(1): 47–74, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.431 [Google Scholar]
  10. Dess, G.G. and Robinson, R.B. Jr. (1984). Measuring organizational performance in the absence of objective measures: The case of privately-held firm and conglomerate business unit. Strategic Management Journal, 5(3): 265–273, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250050306 [Google Scholar]
  11. Doty, D.H., Glick, W.H., Huber, G. (1993). Fit, equifinality, and organizational effectiveness: A test of two configurational theories. Academy of Management Journal, 36(6): 1196–1250, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/256810 [Google Scholar]
  12. Dvir, D., Segev, E. and Shenhar, A. (1993). Technology's varying impact on the success of strategic business units within the miles and snow typology. Strategic Management Journal, 14: 155–162, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250140206 [Google Scholar]
  13. Fiss, P.C. (2011). Building better casual theories: A fuzzy set approach to typologies in organizational research. Academy of Management Journal, 54(2): 393–420, http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/AMJ.2011.60263120 [Google Scholar]
  14. Forte, M., Hoffman, J.J., Lamont, B.T., Brockmann E.N. (2000). Organizational form and environment: An analysis of between-form and within-form responses to environmental change. Strategic Management Journal, 21(7): 753–773, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/256132 [Google Scholar]
  15. Hambrick, D.C. (1983). Some tests of the effectiveness and functional attributes of Miles and Snow’s strategic types. The Academy of Management Journal, 26(1): 5–26, http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v5n11p35 [Google Scholar]
  16. Hassan, H. (2010). The relationship between firms' strategic orientations and strategic planning process. International Journal of Business & Management, 5(11): 35–49, http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v5n11p35 [Google Scholar]
  17. Hu, H. and Hafsi, T. (2010). Strategic change in a shifting institutional context. Journal of Change Management, 10(3): 293–313, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2010.493302 [Google Scholar]
  18. James, W.L. and Hatten, K.J. (1995). Further evidence on the validity of the self typing paragraph approach: Miles and snow strategic archetypes in banking. Strategic Management Journal, 16(2): 161–168, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250160206 [Google Scholar]
  19. Kabanoff, B. and Brown, S. (2008). Knowledge structures of prospectors, analyzers, and defenders: Content, structure, stability, and performance. Strategic Management Journal, 29(2), 149–171, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.644 [Google Scholar]
  20. Kotha, S. and Vadlamani, B.L. (1995). Assessing generic strategies: An empirical investigation of two competing typologies in discrete manufacturing industries. Strategic Management Journal, 16: 75–83, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250160108 [Google Scholar]
  21. Kriauciunas, A. and Kale, P. (2006). The impact of socialist imprinting and search on resource change: A study of firms in Lithuania. Strategic Management Journal, 27(7): 659–679, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.537 [Google Scholar]
  22. Laugen, B.T., Boer, H. and Acur, N. (2006). The new product development improvement motives and practices of Miles and Snow’s prospectors, analyzers and defenders. Creativity & Innovation Management, 15(1): 85–95, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8691.2006.00371.x [Google Scholar]
  23. Liu, B. and Fu, Z. (2011). Relationship between strategic orientation and organizational performance in born global: A critical review. International Journal of Business and Management, 6(3): 109–115, http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v6n3p109 [Google Scholar]
  24. Mantere, S., Schildt, H.A. and Sillince, J.A. (2012). Reversal of strategic change. Academy of Management Journal, 55(1): 173–196, http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/amj.2008.0045 [Google Scholar]
  25. McDaniel, S.W. and Kolari, J.W. (1987). Marketing strategy implications of the Miles and Snow strategic typology. Journal of Marketing, 51(4): 19–30, http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/amj.2008.0045 [Google Scholar]
  26. Miles, R.E. and Snow, C.C. (2003). Organizational strategy, structure, and process. , Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. [Google Scholar]
  27. Miles, R.E., Snow, C.C.; Meyer, A.D. and Coleman H.J. (1978). Organizational strategy, structure, and process. Academy of Management Review, 3(3): 546–562. [Google Scholar]
  28. O`Cass, A. and Weerawardena, J. (2009). Examining the role of international entrepreneurship, innovation and international marketplace in SME internationalization. European Journal of Marketing, 43(11/12), 1325–1348, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03090560910989911 [Google Scholar]
  29. Oosthuizen, H. (1997). An evaluation of the relevance of the Miles and Snow Strategic Typology under present-day conditions of major environmental uncertainty – the Emperor’s new clothes or a paradigm shift? South African Journal of Business Management, 28(2): 63–72. [Google Scholar]
  30. Ozcan, P., and Eisenhardt, K.M. (2009). Origin of alliance portfolios: Entrepreneurs, network strategies, and firm performance. Academy of Management Journal, 52: 246–279, http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/AMJ.2009.37308021 [Google Scholar]
  31. Peng, M.W., Tan, J.T. and Tong, W. (2004). Ownership types and strategic groups in an emerging economy. Journal of Management Studies, 41(7): 1105–1129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00468.x [Google Scholar]
  32. Pittino, D., and Visintin, F. (2009). Innovation and strategic types of family SMEs: A test and extensions of Miles and Snow’s configurational model. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 17(3): 257–295. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S0218495809000382 [Google Scholar]
  33. Pleshko, L. and Nickerson, I. (2008). Strategic orientation, organizational structure, and the associated effects on performance in industrial firms. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 7(1): 95–110. [Google Scholar]
  34. Rodriguez, J.M. and Ventura, J. (2003). Human resource management systems and organizational performance: An analysis of the Spanish manufacturing industry. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 14(7): 1206–1226, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0958519032000114273 [Google Scholar]
  35. Shinkle, G.A. and Kriauciunas, A.P. (2012). The impact of current and founding institutions on strength of competitive aspirations in transition economies. Strategic Management Journal, 33: 448–458, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.1946 [Google Scholar]
  36. Shortell, S.M. and Zajac E.J. (1990). Perceptual and archival measures of Miles and Snow’s strategic types: A comprehensive assessment of reliability and validity. Academy of Management Journal, 33(4): 817–832, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/256292 [Google Scholar]
  37. Slater, S.F. and Olson E.M. (2001). Marketing’s contribution to the implementation of business strategy: An empirical analysis. Strategic Management Journal, 22(11): 1055–1067, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.198 [Google Scholar]
  38. Slater, S.F. and Olson E.M. (2000). Strategy type and performance: The influence of sales force management. Strategic Management Journal, 21: 813–829. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1097-0266(200008)21:8<813::AID-SMJ122>3.0.CO;2-G [Google Scholar]
  39. Snow, C.C. and Hrebiniak, L.G. (1980). Strategy, distinctive competence, and organizational performance. Administrative Science Quarterly, 25(2): 317–336, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2392457 [Google Scholar]
  40. Snow, C.C., Miles, R.E. i Miles, G. (2005). A configurational approach to the integration of strategy and organization research. Strategic Organization, 3(4): 431–439, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1476127005057965 [Google Scholar]
  41. Tandon, A., Sharma, R. R. K. and Uma, N.S. (2010). ERP implementation approach in defender organizations: An empirical study. International Journal of Business Research, 10(2): 281–284. [Google Scholar]
  42. Tang, Z. and Tang, J. (2012). Entrepreneurial orientation and SME performance in China’s changing environment: The moderating effects of strategies. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 29(2): 409–431, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10490-010-9200-1 [Google Scholar]
  43. Tonoyan, V., Strohmeyer, R., Habib, M. and Perlitz, M. (2010). Corruption and entrepreneurship: How formal and informal institutions shape small firm behavior in transition and mature market economies. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 34(5): 803–831, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2010.00394.x [Google Scholar]
  44. Walker, O. and Ruekert, R. (1987). Interactions between marketing and R&D departments in implementing different business strategies. Strategic Management Journal, 8: 233–248, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250080303 [Google Scholar]
  45. Walker, O. and Ruekert, R. (1987). Marketing’s role in the implementation of business strategies: A critical review and conceptual framework. Journal of Marketing, 51(3): 15–33, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1251645 [Google Scholar]
  46. Wang, C.L. (2008). Entrepreneurial orientation, learning orientation, and firm performance. Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice, 32(4): 635–657. [Google Scholar]
  47. Wickham, P.A. (2006). Strategic entrepreneurship. London: Prentice Hall. [Google Scholar]
  48. Wright, P., Kroll, M., Chan, P. and Hamel, K. (1991). Strategic profiles and performance: An empirical test of select key propositions. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 19(3): 245–254, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1251645 [Google Scholar]
  49. Zahra, S.A. and Pearce, J.A. (1990). Research evidence on the Miles-Snow typology. Journal of Management, 16(4): 751–768, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/014920639001600407 [Google Scholar]

Full metadata record

Cite this record

APA style

Ingram, Tomasz & Kraśnicka, Teresa & Wronka-Pośpiech, Martyna & Głód, Grzegorz & Głód, Wojciech (2016). Ingram, T. , Kraśnicka, T. , Wronka-Pośpiech, M. , Głód, G. , & Głód, W. . (2016). Relationships Between Miles and Snow Strategic Types and Organizational Performance in Polish Production Companies. Central European Management Journal, 24(1), 17-45. https://doi.org/10.7206/jmba.ce.2450-7814.162 (Original work published 2016)

MLA style

Ingram, Tomasz and Kraśnicka, Teresa and Wronka-Pośpiech, Martyna and Głód, Grzegorz and Głód, Wojciech. Ingram, T. , et al. “Relationships Between Miles And Snow Strategic Types And Organizational Performance In Polish Production Companies”. 2016. Central European Management Journal, vol. 24, no. 1, 2016, pp. 17-45.

Chicago style

Ingram, Tomasz and Kraśnicka, Teresa and Wronka-Pośpiech, Martyna and Głód, Grzegorz and Głód, Wojciech. Ingram, Tomasz , Teresa Kraśnicka, Martyna Wronka-Pośpiech, Grzegorz Głód, and Wojciech Głód. “Relationships Between Miles And Snow Strategic Types And Organizational Performance In Polish Production Companies”. Central European Management Journal, Central European Management Journal, 24, no. 1 (2016): 17-45. doi:10.7206/jmba.ce.2450-7814.162.