Intended or emergent strategies

Over the years, the debate of how the strategies emerge has continued. Scholars share contrasting views on Porter’s deliberate/intended strategy approach versus Mintzberg’s emergent strategy. Proponents of the intended strategy approach argue that strategies are deliberate, proactive, and rational plans designed to attain predetermined goals, whereas, the emergent strategy proponents are of the view that strategy emerges over time molded by the unanticipated events.

There is no consensus over which approach is better than the other as both the strategies have arguments for and against them. Intended strategies provide clarity of purpose and serve as a guide for providing clear and unambiguous directions for all the participants. However, these strategies are less receptive to unanticipated changes and follow a top-down approach which diminishes innovation and creativity and increases rigidity. Emergent strategies on the other hand, are more flexible, adaptive, and receptive to the sudden changes in the environment. However, there is no clearly spelt out intention from top management and the organizations learn what works through practice in case of emergent strategies (Moore, 2011).

            Task: Working in groups, use appropriate reasons to discuss which of the two- emergent or intended strategies seem to be more relevant to the world we live in today. Why?