ARTICULATION OF THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING IN LEADERSHIP
Abstract
Introduction: Strategic planning remained a central pillar of effective leadership in dynamic organizational contexts, with leaders requiring diverse approaches to navigate complex business environments. Understanding various schools of strategic planning equipped leaders with different perspectives and frameworks to address organizational challenges effectively.
Purpose of the Study: This study explored and articulated the diverse schools of strategic planning, offering a comparative perspective on their principles, assumptions, and applications in leadership contexts.
Research Methodology: The study employed a comprehensive literature review approach, drawing from foundational contributions by Mintzberg and other strategic management scholars to critically examine ten major schools of strategic planning.
Results and Findings: The analysis identified ten distinct schools: Design School (logical systematic approaches), Planning School (formal analytical processes), Positioning School (competitive advantage focus), Entrepreneurial School (vision and intuition), Cognitive School (perception and decision-making), Learning School (continuous adaptation), Power School (political dynamics), Cultural School (organizational culture), Environmental School (external factors), and Configuration School (internal-external alignment). Each school provided unique insights into strategic formulation and execution.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study concluded that synthesizing multiple schools fostered agile, context-sensitive strategic thinking. Leaders were recommended to integrate elements from different schools to enhance decision-making flexibility, improve organizational alignment, and maintain long-term competitiveness. This multi-school approach enabled leaders to leverage individual school strengths while mitigating weaknesses, resulting in more robust strategic planning processes.
Keywords: Articulation, Schools, Strategic Planning, Leadership
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