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Improving organizational alignment by enhancing strategic thinking

Dennis R Self (Division of Management and Marketing, Troy University, Montgomery, Alabama, United States.)
Terry Self (Division of Management and Marketing, Troy University, Montgomery, Alabama, United States.)
Tish Matuszek (Division of Management and Marketing, Troy University, Montgomery, Alabama, United States.)
Mike Schraeder (Troy University, Troy, Alabama, USA)

Development and Learning in Organizations

ISSN: 1477-7282

Article publication date: 5 January 2015

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Abstract

Purpose

The article argues for increased use of knowledge management as a possible method for improving the alignment of organizations with the external environment.

Design/methodology/approach

It is readily acknowledged that the external environment for organizations is characterized as fast-paced. As such, to remain successful, organizations must endeavor to remain aware of changes in the external environment and make timely adjustments to internal operations that will keep the organization properly aligned with the environment.

Findings

Strategic thinking, bolstered by effective knowledge management, is one approach organizational leaders can consider in their quest to remain properly aligned with perpetual changes in the external environment.

Practical implications

Employees represent a significant source of information and knowledge within organizations. Leveraging this information through knowledge management may enhance the strategic thinking within organizations, translating into practices that will help the organization remain properly aligned with the external environment.

Originality/value

The topic of knowledge management is certainly not new. However, emphasizing knowledge management in the context of organizational alignment provides organizational leaders with an additional strategy that has considerable practical value.

Keywords

Citation

Self, D.R., Self, T., Matuszek, T. and Schraeder, M. (2015), "Improving organizational alignment by enhancing strategic thinking", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 11-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-08-2013-0053

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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