A Complex Responsive Process Approach to Strategic Management: Employee Engagement, Knowledge Creation, and Organizational Learning

Abstract

Traditional strategic management focuses on securing organizational assets and maximizing resources through top-down leadership and the formation of competitive strategies to advance market position, meet performance objectives, and gain competitive advantage. Top-down bureaucratic paradigms are not well suited for gaining an edge in the knowledge economy, and in many cases, these strategic behaviors are counterproductive. There is a growing need for alternative ways of thinking about strategic management and human resource development. Complexity science provides a new framework for 21st century strategic management. The complex responsive processes approach to strategic management strengthens employee engagement, knowledge creation, and organizational learning, and it improves performance, achievement of long-term competitive advantage, and strengthens intellectual capital.