Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Concepts, Techniques, Applications (Blackwell Business) [Paperback]

Robert M. Grant (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631207805 | ISBN-13: 978-0631207801 | Publication Date: March 1998 | Edition: 3rd

This text has a rigorous approach to business strategy analysis and is particularly suitable for courses in business policy and business strategy. The guiding principle of the book is to focus upon the fundamental determinants of business success - competitive advantage - and it draws heavily upon the concepts and theoretical insights of industrial economics. This edition features increased coverage of the behavioural aspects of strategy, including the design of organization and management systems, the setting of performance targets and evaluation performance, and the strategic planning process in corporations. Also included is new material on: the process view; goals and performance; dynamic aspects of the analysis of industry and competition; organizational capability and organizational knowledge; strategy implementation; and strategic management in the new millennium. Providing a global perspective throughout, the book provides an up-to-date introduction to business strategy analysis for undergraduate and MBA students, and is accompanied by a comprehensive instructor's manual.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Grant excels in combining accessibility and rigor in his coverage of difficult concepts in corporate strategy. His Contemporary Strategy Analysis is one of the best available textbooks for advanced undergraduates and MBAs.” George Yip, LondonBusinessSchool

"The new edition of Grant's extraordinarily well-written textbook has the same accessible style as prior editions. This comprehensive textbook makes complicated material understandable and clear. The many new capsule examples of recent business events as well as text material based on new research keep the book completely up-to-date. The book also contains revisions of core materials for even greater clarity. Students rave about this book." Constance Helfat, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

"By skillfully weaving scholarly ideas with modern-day issues, Contemporary Strategy Analysis provides students of strategy with a leading edge textbook that links the practical realities of strategic management to the intellectual foundations of strategic thinking." Ari Ginsberg, New York University, Stern School of Business --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

This best-selling text has gained widespread recognition for its rigorous approach to business strategy analysis. Introducing students to the fundamental concepts and principles of strategy, it reflects current academic thinking and management practice, and gives students the tools they need to formulate and implement strategies that will enhance the performance of their organizations. Now in its fifth edition, the book has been thoroughly revised and updated to: feature additional material on the strategic planning processes within companies reflect recent work in the areas of resources and capabilities, industry evolution, and global strategy and the multinational company include revisions to the section on knowledge management to reflect the maturing of this field provide a more integrated view of corporate scope, and the organization and management of the multi-business firm reconsider the shareholder value model, with more coverage of values and corporate social responsibility Additional support is available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/grant. The website features a Guide for Instructors, downloadable PowerPoint slides, and a selection of new cases to help lecturers plan their courses and make teaching even easier. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 461 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Pub; 3rd edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631207805
• ISBN-13: 978-0631207801
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,236,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written with a healthy criticisim of different approaches, October 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Concepts, Techniques, Applications (Blackwell Business) (Paperback)

I used this book during my MBA in City University Business School, London and found it extremely helpful. It covers most of ground and guides the reader through different approaches showing them their pros and cons. It takes the magic out of many complicated concepts and make them accessiable. In some few parts it lacks detail but if taken as an introductry book to business strategy, it serves that purpose well. As a strategy consultant, I always keep it on my self with my favorite "The Mind Of The Strategist".

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great road map for strategic thinking, June 13, 1999

By 

Gustavo H. Ramos (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Concepts, Techniques, Applications (Blackwell Business) (Paperback)

Great book by someone who is serious about the subject! No "The Art of Strategy according to Lord Nelson" or the like. After reading the book, the reader will be able to think about strategy and judge strategic thinking as applied to real cases. But, better still, it will make the reader curious about strategy and willing to look further into some of the many good references given in the book.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from UC, Riverside, BSAD184 student, February 5, 2000

By 

"niik" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Concepts, Techniques, Applications (Blackwell Business) (Paperback)

This book was used as our main textbook for Business 184 class taught by Dr. P.Skilton. As an actual user of this book, I believe that the details this book provided are unique in the way that they offer good understanding on what business strategy is about. The book answers the ultimate question, "What is strategy?" by distinguishing strategy from plans and tactics. Additionally, it provides insights to different types of strategies, advantages/disadvantages of each, and actual cases of usage. However, this is not to say that the book is without shortcomings, it creates some confusion in a few tables (and I still believe it's in Ch.2...for those of you doing projects for Dr.Skilton's class, watch out cuz that's one thing he is gonna ask you to do for SURE!). Yet, I believe the real merit in this book could only be discovered through reading the book. >_<