With contributions from some of the field?s most influential scholars, this Handbook provides a path forward for students and researchers interested in strategy process research from a middle management perspective. This groundbreaking Handbook both reviews existing theory and explores new ground concerning key issues surrounding middle management?s influence on strategy making.Split into five distinct sections, the book explicates the unit of analysis and presents foundational theories, emerging models, cutting-edge methods, and original empirical research in strategy process research. Contributors with diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives identify and address a wide range of research issues relevant to middle managers? participation in strategy making, such as social network analysis and video methodology. Standout chapters include one on complex strategic integration by Robert A. Burgelman and one on development of theory by Henry Mintzberg. This Handbook is a must-read for academics interested in strategy process research as it suggests novel research approaches for addressing relevant phenomena and provides an up-to-date review of the extant literature in the area.

For much of its history, the academic literature in strategy has focused on the actions and decisions of top managers. The argument of Building Strategy From the Middle is that rapidly developing technologies and competitive dynamics heighten needs for enhanced organizational competencies, which puts a premium on new ideas generated at the operating level and creates a shift in the strategic responsibilities within organizations. Strategic leadership now occurs not only at the top, but at all levels of the organization. This ground-breaking new book reframes the perspective taken in most strategy research in two key ways: by describing organizational renewal from a middle-level perspective and by reconceptualizing the theoretical basis for strategy process research. Part I of the book (Foundations) reviews the existing literature on the strategy process, including recent literature on strategic change renewal. Part II (New Theoretical Horizons) builds the theoretical basis for a middle level perspective, focusing on knowledge development, social network analysis, and organizational trust. Part III (Middle Level Perspective) moves from synthesizing existing research toward the development of a model for conducting research from a middle-level perspective.

For much of its history, the academic literature in strategy has focused on the actions and decisions of top managers. The argument of Building Strategy From the Middle is that rapidly developing technologies and competitive dynamics heighten needs for enhanced organizational competencies, which puts a premium on new ideas generated at the operating level and creates a shift in the strategic responsibilities within organizations. Strategic leadership now occurs not only at the top, but at all levels of the organization. This ground-breaking new book reframes the perspective taken in most strategy research in two key ways: by describing organizational renewal from a middle-level perspective and by reconceptualizing the theoretical basis for strategy process research. Part I of the book (Foundations) reviews the existing literature on the strategy process, including recent literature on strategic change renewal. Part II (New Theoretical Horizons) builds the theoretical basis for a middle level perspective, focusing on knowledge development, social network analysis, and organizational trust. Part III (Middle Level Perspective) moves from synthesizing existing research toward the development of a model for conducting research from a middle-level perspective.