Strategic Management and Leadership

Introduction

This cluster addresses strategy research in its widest sense.

We have an inclusive and broad perspective on strategic management and leadership. In contrast to strategy groups in other business schools, we do not just focus on commercial organisations and the private sector, but also consider strategy in public service organisations – including the public sector and not-for-profit organisations – which better reflects the make-up of our student population and society in general. Being culturally diverse, we have a global perspective on strategy and leadership, and we conduct research in Africa and Asia as well as the UK and Europe.

We have incorporated our research insights, including our own case-based material, into Open University teaching materials, including B302 Strategic Management and the compulsory MBA module B873 Effective Strategic Management in Business and the Public Sector and have promoted doctoral research in this area, through several recent studentships.

Strategy researchers can make a contribution to society by investigating how business and public service organisations are responding to major societal challenges, including globalization, climate change and social inclusion. Our members have conducted research in areas such as sustainability and environmental management, solar energy sector in Africa, the role of alliances in innovation and open innovation, among others.

The cluster engages with the business community through panel discussions and blog posts. Watch below our business webinar series discussions with business panellists sharing their approaches to strategic agility and innovation to tackle strategic challenges. Our blog series contributions stem from our research and offer managerial insights to support business and public sector organisations in their new endeavours.

Business webinar series

Blogpost contributions

• ‘How can smart cities become greener?’ by Kesidou, E., Filiou, D., and Wu, L. published at The Open University, Faculty of Business and Law Research blogsite 11 May 2023
• 'Deploying international HE partnerships for improved Open and Distance Learning and employability strategies' by Mbalyohere, C., published at The Scholarship Centre for innovation in online Legal and Business education (SCiLAB) blogpost series, 20 December 2022

Selected recent publications

Cluster Members publish in academic peer review journals of global esteem and reputation and of international standing that have wide readership and high impact factors showcasing substantial contributions in subsequent developments in their respective fields. Examples of journals of recent and past publications include Human Relations, Journal of World Business, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management, Journal of Business Studies, British Journal of Management, International Business Review, Long Range Planning, R&D Management Journal, Public Management Review. Select the link in the boxes below to find more about our recent publications. All publications are available Open Access at Open Research Online.