Final answer:
The Mintzberg school of strategic management recognizes strategy as a fluid combination of deliberate planning and emergent patterns, differing from the Design School which sees strategy as a precise, formal process created by top management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mintzberg school of strategic management is a framework for understanding strategy formation that is characterized by its acknowledgement of strategies as both deliberate and emergent. Rather than a strict process of planned and rational strategy design, Mintzberg's theories recognize that strategies may evolve organically from within the organization. Mintzberg identified ten different schools of thought within strategic management, but one of his most significant contributions is the distinction he made between his approach and that of the Design School.
Mintzberg’s approach differs from the Design School in that the latter views strategy formation as a formal, logical process that should be conducted by top management based on clear analysis and a thoughtful process, typically resulting in a prescriptive strategy that the organization should follow. In contrast, Mintzberg emphasizes a more flexible, adaptable, and dynamic approach to strategy development, where strategies can emerge from practice and adapt to changing circumstances.
Mintzberg identified the Design School’s linear approach to be too constrained and not reflective of the real-world complexities and unpredictabilities of organizational strategy. His more holistic view considers the patterns that emerge from past organizational actions, the ideas brought forth by individuals at all levels of the organization, and the influence of culture and environment on strategy development.