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Strategy as Vector and the Inertia of Co-evolutionary Lock-in

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  • Burgelman, Robert A.

    (Stanford U)

Abstract

This comparative longitudinal study of Andy Grove's tenure as Intel Corporation's CEO (1987-1998) documents how he moved Intel's strategy-making process from an internal ecology model to the classical rational actor model. His creation of a highly successful strategy vector pursued through an extremely focused induced strategy process led to co-evolutionary-lock-in with the PC market segment. Intra-company analysis of four new business development cases highlights the inertial consequences of co-evolutionary lock-in. The paper examines implications of co-evolutionary lock-in for long-term organizational adaptation in terms of its effect on balancing induced and autonomous strategy processes and exploitation and exploration in organizational learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Burgelman, Robert A., 2002. "Strategy as Vector and the Inertia of Co-evolutionary Lock-in," Research Papers 1745, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:stabus:1745
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    File URL: http://gsbapps.stanford.edu/researchpapers/library/RP1745.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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