Imperatives for Enterprise Strategists

Abstract

The article deals with the requirements for enterprisestrategists. An assumption is made that enterprise strategyformation may be improved by using strategy planningtools, by widening dimensions that describe the types ofentrepreneur, and by integrating them into a particularsystem, i.e. the taxonomy of imperatives. The authorsanalyze different approaches and work methods of variousstrategy development schools in Lithuania and abroad aswell as extensive literary sources in order to answer whichof the main distinguished imperatives has an impact onenterprise strategy formation. This is the major objectiveof the study.With reference to the study, the article views theinvestigated issues from a new perspective while trying todiscuss what strategic decisions are reflected in the formedstrategy. The quality of such decisions may be perceived asa function of imperatives (requirements, regulations,orders, sophistication, and knowledge) that is based on theinformation needed for decision-making since the strategyof enterprise activity is always an expression of strategicdecisions and their outcome.The article analyses how the introduced imperativesare implemented by entrepreneurs of different characterand how an entrepreneur’s character influences strategyformation in small and medium enterprises. First researcherswere already to notice the qualities that successfulentrepreneurs possess (Carland et al., 1996). According toZakarevicius and Zuperkiene (2008), leaders’ personalqualities have been studied since the beginning of the lastcentury and subject-related qualities have been studiedsince the middle of the last century; however, a constantlychanging organization environment raises newrequirements and that is why the indication of leaders’personal and subject-related qualities that correspondthem as well as the improvement of quality development isa relevant scientific and practical problem. As the authorsclaim (Gudonavicius et al., 2008), entrepreneurs of differenttypes perceive the risk differently. Their actions may beunderstood as a quality function of strategic decision,whereas their competence to act may be perceived as aresult of the decision. A positive result of activity is notachieved only due to high level of an entrepreneur’sactions; it is also important to make proper decisions forthe implementation of formed strategy.The simple construct explains why more attentionshould be given to entrepreneurs’ personal qualities and totheir impact while making strategic decisions.The methodology of the study is mainly based on acomplex analysis of strategy development including acomprehensive logical analysis and synthesis of foreignand local authors’ scientific publications, the insights ofthe authors of the article, questionnaire survey, clusteranalysis, and the methods of statistical data processing.The study method is qualitative and exploratory. Semistructuredtesting was used in the work as well as thesurvey of the following geographical range: enterpriseowners (entrepreneurs, leaders, managers) from Kaunasand Siauliai city and district.The study revealed that entrepreneurs of differenttypes form different strategies and perform differentactivities to implement them while using different imperatives.Moreover, the objectives and formation of a strategydepends on strategists’ social qualities and social contextinside which they act.