Competitive Strategy, Uncertainty, and Performance: An Exploratory Assessment of China and Turkey

Abstract

This study explores links among strategic uncertainty, competitive strategy, and performance in Chinese and Turkish businesses. Clear associations between market, technological, and competitive uncertainties and competitive strategy were not found in either nation. Chinese and Turkish organizations pursuing prospector, defender, and analyzer strategies outperformed their counterparts pursuing the reactor strategy. Scores along Porter's typology suggested marked differences between managers' conceptualization of competitive strategy in both countries. Along the Miles and Snow typology, defenders represented the highest performing group in China, whereas analyzers outperformed other groups in Turkey. Similarities and differences in findings between the two nations are elaborated.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• culture
• Miles and Snow
• performance
• Porter
• strategy
• Turkey
• typologies
• uncertainty