HOW STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION IMPACTS THE PERFORMANCE OF STARTUPS (Dissertation Sample)

HOW STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION IMPACTS THE PERFORMANCE OF STARTUPS Students Name Institutional Affiliation Course Number Instructors Name Date TABLE OF CONTENTS TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u 1.0. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION PAGEREF _Toc152060925 \h 21.1. Background of the Study PAGEREF _Toc152060926 \h 21.2. Statement of the Problem PAGEREF _Toc152060927 \h 31.3. Objectives of the Study PAGEREF _Toc152060928 \h 41.4Research Questions PAGEREF _Toc152060929 \h 51.5Significance of Study PAGEREF _Toc152060930 \h 61.6Challenges and Limitations PAGEREF _Toc152060931 \h 6 1.0. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of the Study The realm of entrepreneurship is characterized by its dynamism and unpredictability, where success and failure often hinge on a myriad of factors (Dinesh & Sushil, 2019). The question of why some entrepreneurs thrive while others fail has been a longstanding inquiry, captivating the attention of researchers, policymakers, and business enthusiasts alike. Amid the vast array of potential influences on entrepreneurial outcomes, managing human resources emerges as a critical aspect that could shape the trajectory of startups. This research delves into the intriguing intersection of entrepreneurial advice, managerial styles, and the subsequent impact on the performance of high-growth technology firms. 1 Definition of Strategy Implementation and Startups In recent years, the business landscape has witnessed a surge in the number of startups, reflecting a dynamic and innovative approach to entrepreneurship. The proliferation of these emerging ventures has sparked a growing interest in understanding the intricacies of strategy implementation within the startup ecosystem (Frederiksen & Brem, 2017). While many appreciate the importance of effective strategy implementation, there is still a need to comprehend how startups plan and take initiatives compared to their other business stakeholders. In the ever-changing world, strategy implementation holds an essential function in the success or failure of businesses. The strategy implementation process has been extensively studied and documented for established incumbents. However, the same cannot be said for startups, which often operate under unique constraints and exhibit distinct organizational characteristics (Dinesh & Sushil, 2019). This research aims to bridge the gap by conducting a comprehensive comparative analysis of the strategy implementation processes employed by startups and their incumbent counterparts. 1.2. Statement of the Problem Despite the growing significance of strategy implementation, a need for more research specifically delves into the nuances of how startups approach this critical aspect of organizational development (Moroni et al., 2015). The limited existing literature suggests that startups may not necessarily adopt the same levers and organizational characteristics as their incumbent counterparts. This poses a fundamental question: How do the strategy implementation processes of startups differ from those of established incumbents, and what factors contribute to these differences? The problem statement underscores the need for a focused exploration of strategy implementation in the startup context (Gómez-Prado et al., 2022). Identifying whether the existing frameworks and paradigms derived from studies on incumbent organizations can be directly applied to the startup milieu or if a distinct set of principles and considerations must be recognized. While the landscape of entrepreneurial advice is vast, the specific influence of guidance on managing employees has garnered limited attention. The extent to which advice on formal versus informal approaches to employee management affects the growth and sustainability of technology startups remains underexplored (Gómez-Prado et al., 2022). This research seeks to fill this gap by conducting a randomized field experiment focusing on 100 high-growth technology firms. The central inquiry is whether entrepreneurs who receive advice emphasizing formal management practices experience differential outcomes compared to those guided by peers with a more informal managerial style. Understanding this distinction is crucial not only for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of human resource management but also for policymakers and educators seeking to enhance the efficacy of entrepreneurial training programs (Bali & Joshi, 2023). The implications extend beyond individual ventures, impacting the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem and contributing to the discourse on effective strategies for startup success. 1.3. Objectives of the Study 1.3.1. General Objective The general objective of this research is to comprehensively compare the strategy implementation processes of startups with those of incumbent organizations. 1.3.2 Specific Objectives 1. To identify and analyze the levers of successful strategy implementation in startups and incumbents. 2. To examine the extent to which startups prioritize and utilize these identified levers compared to their incumbent counterparts. 3. To investigate the organizational characteristics of strategy implementation in startups and incumbents. 4. To assess the applicability of the mechanistic versus organic organizational structure hypothesis in the context of startups and incumbents. 1 Research Questions To address the objectives mentioned above, the research will focus on the following key questions: 1. How do startups and incumbent organizations approach the levers of successful strategy implementation? 2. To what extent do startups prioritize and utilize identified levers compared to incumbents during the strategy implementation process? 3. What organizational characteristics are prevalent in the strategy implementation processes of startups and incumbents? 4. Does the hypothesis that incumbent organizations follow a mechanistic structure and startups follow an organic structure hold in all cases? 2 Significance of the Study This research holds significant implications for both academia and the business community. By shedding light on the strategy implementation processes of startups, the study contributes valuable insights that can inform strategic management theories and practices. Academically, it adds to the existing body of knowledge by addressing a critical gap in the literature (Bali & Joshi, 2023). The outputs obtained from this research can practically guide entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business heads in refining their approach to strategy implementation. It is, therefore, essential to understand the unique challenges and opportunities that startups face, which can enhance the effectiveness of decision-making processes and contribute to these ventures' overall success and sustainability. 3 Challenges and Limitations This research focuses on a comparative analysis of strategy implementation processes in startups and incumbent organizations. The study will draw on a diverse sample of startups and incumbents across various industries to comprehensively understand the subject matter. However, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations, such as potential variations in the organizational contexts and strategies employed by the selected cases (Bali & Joshi, 2023). The study will primarily rely on qualitative research methods, including interviews, case studies, and document analysis, to capture the nuances of strategy implementation in startups and incumbents. While this approach offers rich insights, it may provide a partial quantitative assessment of the phenomena under investigation. The study focuses on high-growth technology startups, considering the unique opportunities and problems that arise from this setting. Although the study's observations might have wider ramifications, it is essential to understand that not all industries or entrepreneurial ecosystems will gain evenly from the findings (Koning et al., 2022). The study's randomized field experiment design allows for a robust examination of causal relationships. Nonetheless, it is essential to consider a few limitations, such as data generalizability and the possible impact of outside variables. Furthermore, the study is temporally constrained by the two years for evaluating the intervention's results (Koning et al., 2022). 4 Assumptions of the Study When embarking on an effective study research on how strategy implementation impacts the performance of startups, it is crucial to recognize and articulate certain assumptions that underpin the research (Koning et al., 2022). These assumptions provide a foundation for the study's design, methodology, and interpretation of findings and include the following: * Effective implementation of strategies is a significant factor influencing the performance of startups. This assumption implies that well-executed strategies contribute positively to achieving organizational objectives. * The research assumes a shared understanding of what constitutes strategy implementation among startups and relevant stakeholders. It presupposes a common perception of the key elements and processes in translating strategic plans into action. * Startups have clearly defined or...