Question

Which one of the following statements falsely characterizes the managerial task of executing strategy?

A. Executing strategy is an action-oriented, make-things-happen task
B. Executing strategy tests a manager's ability to direct organizational change, achieve continuous improvement in operations and business processes, create and nurture a strategy-supportive culture and consistently meet or beat performance targets
C. The challenge of successfully implementing new strategic initiatives principally involves employing managerial techniques to overcome resistance to change
D. Strategy execution requires a team effort that entails every manager thinking through the answer to "What does my area have to do to implement its part of the strategic plan and what should I do to get these things accomplished effectively and efficiently?"
E. Implementing and executing strategy is primarily an operations-driven activity revolving around the management of people and business processes

Answer 1

The false statement about the managerial task of executing strategy is that it is primarily an operations-driven activity. True strategy execution is broader, involving change management, cultural development, and a team effort across diverse functional areas, not just operations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that falsely characterizes the managerial task of executing strategy is: E. Implementing and executing strategy is primarily an operations-driven activity revolving around the management of people and business processes. While operations are a key component of strategy execution, this statement is overly reductive and fails to recognize the multifaceted and cross-functional nature of strategic execution. Successful strategy execution involves not just managing operations but also adapting to change, improving continuously, developing a culture that supports the strategy, and achieving performance targets. It's a complex process requiring coordinated efforts across all levels of an organization, and not just the domain of operational management.

Strategy Execution

Executing strategy is an extensive task that tests a manager's ability to direct organizational change and to foster a culture that is in alignment with the company's strategic objectives. It is action-oriented and challenges managers to think critically and creatively about how to effectively implement their part of the strategic plan. A successful implementation of strategy is reliant upon overcoming obstacles such as resistance to change and necessitates a collective effort from the entire team.

Managerial Roles in Strategy

Managers play a critical role in the implementation of strategic initiatives, requiring them to be adaptable, detail and big-picture oriented, and skilled in both transactional and transformational leadership styles. They must consider the strategic actions of competitors and collaborators alike and are held accountable for specific processes and outcomes.