The Tenuous Link Between Formal Strategic Planning and Financial Performance
Academy of Management ReviewPublished 1 October 1987
John A. Pearce, Elizabeth B. Freeman, Richard B. Robinson
Citations391
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score14.40
SNIP6.11
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Abstract
Although the effect of formal strategic planning on organization effectiveness remains an unresolved issue, a systematic critical review of 18 relevant empirical studies allows valuable insights into the planning-performance controversy The analysis discloses controllable methodological inconsistencies and contingency variable interactions, an awareness of which can improve research designs.
Keywords
Business, Management and Accounting
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