Charles C. Snow

Research on Competitive Dynamics: Recent Accomplishments and Future Challenges

Understanding the nature and consequences of the competitive dynamics among firms is a key objective of the strategic management field. We review recent developments in six research streams relevant to competitive dynamics: competitive action and response, first-mover advantage, co-opetition, multipoint competition, strategic groups, and regional clusters. As a first step toward filling gaps in knowledge identified in our review, we provide suggestions for future inquiry within each research stream. We also describe opportunities for conceptual integration across the streams that could significantly advance the understanding of competitive dynamics.

Designing and supporting transnational teams: The human resource agenda

As the challenges of managing across borders become increasingly complex, companies are exploring innovative ways to organize and manage people. Many are turning to the use of transnational teams composed of individuals from multiple nationalities working on tasks that span multiple countries. This article reports the findings from a study of human resource practices used in 34 transnational teams from 23 multinational firms. The article provides specific examples of how staffing, training, and rewards systems are adapted to support the strategic orientations of these teams.1

Twenty-first-century organizations: Implications for a new marketing paradigm

ConclusionTo conclude this commentary, it may be worthwhile to clearly state the research direction that the Achrol article has launched. First, the article begins by identifying the forces that are causing network forms of organizing to spread. If network organizations continue to proliferate, as they are likely to do, then marketing as both a function and discipline must change, too. Second, Achrol helps us to understand network organizations by providing a comprehensive typology that describes the commonly found network forms. Third, the article specifies some of the key variables that need to be examined to build an integrated theory of network management. It is hoped that at some point in the not too distant future, managers can be shown how to design and operate each of the major types of network organizations. Finally, Achrol urges marketing to adopt a paradigm more consistent with the reality of today’s and tomorrow’s organizations. His article is certainly a step in the right direction.

Processes and Payoffs of Programmatic Acon Research

This article discusses the processes and payoffs of large-system or programmatic action research. Experiences gained from a long-term, action-research program in a large health-maintenance organization indicate that current OD theory and practice do not address satisfactorily major issues associated with large-system development. Viewed in retrospect, the change program offers several implications for future programmatic action-research efforts-OD programs that are complex, evolutionary, system-wide, and firmly grounded in behavioral science theories and concepts.

Implications of the converging economy for human resource management

This paper analyzes the impact of the Converging Economy on the role and function of human resource management (HRM) practice and research. The forces driving convergence - information technology, globalization, and the importance of human assets - are discussed and then related to both HRM practice and research. We identify and discuss nine cutting-edge practices that firms have developed to cope with the changes brought about by the Converging Economy. These practices have potential significance for managers and scholars alike: they may serve as exemplars for organizations needing to navigate the shifting terrain of the Converging Economy. After discussing these practical responses to the changing environment, we discuss several promising new ways to apply theory to this area as a guide for future HRM researchers.