Title: The strategic management competence of small and medium-sized growth firms

Authors: Marko Kohtamaki, Erno Tornikoski, Elina Varamaki

Addresses: University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101, Vaasa, Finland. ' EM Lyon & Seinajoki, University of Applied Sciences, 23 Avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134, Ecully Cedex, France. ' Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences, Koulukatu 41, 60100, Seinajoki, Finland

Abstract: This study focuses on the firm|s strategy process and especially on the firm|s strategic management competence. Strategic management competence is defined as a firm|s ability to involve different actors in the strategy process, characterised by the formalisation and use of different strategic tools. This study focuses on the small and medium-sized growth firms. With respect to the main findings, we believe that several important conclusions can be drawn. First, the results seem to suggest that while managerial experience is not important for strategic management competence, the CEO|s relationship with a firm does. Second, the results also seem to suggest that a CEO|s educational level is important for strategic management competence. Third, the results seem to suggest that the entrepreneurial orientation of a firm is important for strategic management competence.

Keywords: strategic management competence; small business management; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; quantitative study; business strategy; educational levels; CEOs; entrepreneurial orientation; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2009.021614

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2009 Vol.7 No.1, pp.139 - 150

Published online: 30 Nov 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article