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The strategic use of historical narratives: a theoretical framework

Author

Listed:
  • William M. Foster
  • Diego M. Coraiola
  • Roy Suddaby
  • Jochem Kroezen
  • David Chandler

Abstract

History has long been recognised as a strategic and organisational resource. However, until recently, the advantage conferred by history was attributed to a firm’s ability to accumulate heterogeneous resources or develop opaque practices. In contrast, we argue that the advantage history confers on organisations is based on understanding when the knowledge of the past is referenced and the reasons why it is strategically communicated. We argue that managers package this knowledge in historical narratives to address particular organisational concerns and audiences. As well, we show that different historical narratives are produced with the goal of achieving different organisational outcomes. The success of an organisation is thus dependent on the ability of its managers to skilfully develop historical narratives that create a strategic advantage.

Suggested Citation

  • William M. Foster & Diego M. Coraiola & Roy Suddaby & Jochem Kroezen & David Chandler, 2017. "The strategic use of historical narratives: a theoretical framework," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(8), pages 1176-1200, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:bushst:v:59:y:2017:i:8:p:1176-1200
    DOI: 10.1080/00076791.2016.1224234
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bingbing Ge & Alfredo De Massis & Josip Kotlar, 2022. "Mining the Past: History Scripting Strategies and Competitive Advantage in a Family Business," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(1), pages 223-251, January.
    2. Jonathan Preminger, 2020. "‘Ideational power’ as a resource in union struggle," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 209-224, May.
    3. Mangiò, Federico & Mismetti, Marco & Lissana, Elena & Andreini, Daniela, 2023. "That's the Press, Baby! How journalists co-create family business brands meanings: A mixed method analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    4. Pikos Anna, 2018. "Continuity of Narratives: Reinterpretations of Polish Business History," Journal of Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, Sciendo, vol. 26(4), pages 47-63, December.
    5. Adrien Jean-Guy Passant, 2022. "The organizational identity of business schools: Toward an entrepreneurial redefinition? A longitudinal case study of a European business school," Post-Print hal-04180471, HAL.
    6. Diego M. Coraiola & Robbin Derry, 2020. "Remembering to Forget: The Historic Irresponsibility of U.S. Big Tobacco," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 166(2), pages 233-252, October.
    7. Innan Sasaki & Josip Kotlar & Davide Ravasi & Eero Vaara, 2020. "Dealing with revered past: Historical identity statements and strategic change in Japanese family firms," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(3), pages 590-623, March.
    8. Roy Suddaby & Trevor Israelsen & Francois Bastien & Rohny Saylors & Diego Coraiola, 2023. "Rhetorical History as Institutional Work," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(1), pages 242-278, January.
    9. Chikako Ishizuka & Tseng Kuo-Che & Yasuyuki Kishi, 2022. "Reviving tradition-bound products: a case of value co-creation using rhetorical history," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 16(4), pages 1015-1033, December.

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