TOP-LEVEL MANAGERS’ STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT DISCOURSE IN TURKEY

Abstract

This study aims to understand the strategic management paradigm in Turkey considering the changing business environment. The strategies of firms diverge whether they are a part of the global value chain or do business in sectors close to perfectly competitive markets, or want to take advantage of the opportunities created by public tenders and state incentives. On the other hand, these firms function in the same economic environment in which the country's unique historical and cultural characteristics and various external factors continue to influence. Thus, the discourse of the top-level managers of firms may shed light on today’s strategies that are deemed relevant. In regard, the content of 73 interviews, which was published in the Harvard Business Review’s Turkish edition, is analyzed in terms of strategic management themes. The findings indicate a transition to modern strategic management principles from the old-school business administration. This study is likely to update the business management narrative within Turkey’s economic context today.