Nonmarket and market strategies, strategic uncertainty and strategic capabilities: Evidence from the USA
ISSN: 2040-8269
Article publication date: 20 March 2018
Issue publication date: 21 March 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Amidst rapid development in emerging economies, greater emphasis on public–private partnerships and a more complex regulatory environment, nonmarket strategy (NMS) is now widely viewed as a key component of a firm’s overall strategy. This paper aims to investigate how nonmarket and market strategies are influenced by strategic uncertainties and capabilities and ultimately drive firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey addressing strategic uncertainties, capabilities, NMS and market strategy and firm performance was administered online to 193 practicing managers in the USA. Measures for competitive strategy (i.e. cost leadership and differentiation), NMS, management and marketing capabilities, competitive and technology uncertainties and firm performance were adopted from or based on previous work. Hypotheses were tested via SmartPLS.
Findings
Emphasis on NMS was linked to high marketing capability, high competitive uncertainty and high technology uncertainty. Cost leaders were more likely than differentiators to emphasize on NMS, although all three strategies were positive drivers of performance. NMS appears to be viewed as a part of an integrated strategic approach by managers in many organizations.
Research limitations/implications
The sample included mangers in multiple industries. Self-typing scales were used to assess strategic emphasis and firm performance.
Practical implications
Emphasis on NMS can promote firm performance, but the relationship is complex. Strategic managers should align the NMS with organizational capabilities and a market-oriented strategy appropriate for the firm.
Originality/value
This paper provides empirical support for a model linking select strategic uncertainties, capabilities, market strategy and NMS and firm performance. It supports NMS as a key performance driver, but with links to uncertainties and capabilities that differ from those of market strategies.
Keywords
Citation
Parnell, J.A. (2019), "Nonmarket and market strategies, strategic uncertainty and strategic capabilities: Evidence from the USA", Management Research Review, Vol. 41 No. 2, pp. 252-274. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-05-2017-0151
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited