Timing and Sequencing of Strategic Actions in Internationalization Processes Involving Intermediaries: A Network Perspective

Abstract

Management, over time, takes a series of specific strategic actions. As strategic actions we define actions aimed at influencing how the actor is related to other actors. We propose that when a strategic action is committed affects the outcome of the action. An important reason for this is that strategic actions over time can be regarded as interdependent sequences of actions. Timing and sequences may be more or less – or is not at all – preplanned by an actor. In a network perspective a focal actor is dependent on other actors that commit strategic actions. This creates interdependencies that vary over time, which a focal actor influences in a proactive, interactive and/or reactive way. The timing of strategic actions is a general, quite complex and elusive phenomenon to be handled in practice and theory. Despite its importance, very little research has been published.

Citation

Andersson, P. and Mattsson, L.-G. (2006), "Timing and Sequencing of Strategic Actions in Internationalization Processes Involving Intermediaries: A Network Perspective", Arthur Solberg, C. (Ed.) Relationship Between Exporters and Their Foreign Sales and Marketing Intermediaries (Advances in International Marketing, Vol. 16), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 287-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-7979(05)16012-8