Abstract

An integrative model of relationships among environmental dimensions, diversification strategy, firm size, structural divisionalization, and economic performance was developed and tested using environmental and organizational data from 110 large manufacturing firms. The results suggested that among those organizations, (1) higher levels of environmental instability were associated with lower levels of divisionalization and diversification, (2) strategy followed structure, and (3) size did not mediate the strategy-structure relationship. Furthermore, both environmental instability and diversification were positively related to market-determined performance, and instability was negatively related to operating performance. The results provided support for portions of each of three models, the external control, strategic management, and inertial models.

Keywords

Diversification (marketing strategy)Structural equation modelingIndustrial organizationOrganizational structureMacroInstabilityOrganizational performanceBusinessEconomicsMicroeconomicsMarketingComputer scienceManagement

MeSH Terms

Compressive StrengthEquipment DesignEquipment Failure AnalysisFiber Optic TechnologyMiniaturizationRefractometryTransducersPressure

Affiliated Institutions

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Publication Info

Year
1988
Type
article
Volume
31
Issue
3
Pages
570-598
Citations
1039
Access
Closed

Social Impact

Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions

Citation Metrics

1039
OpenAlex
90
Influential

Cite This

Barbara W. Keats, Michael A. Hitt (1988). A Causal Model of Linkages Among Environmental Dimensions, Macro Organizational Characteristics, and Performance. Academy of Management Journal , 31 (3) , 570-598. https://doi.org/10.5465/256460

Identifiers

DOI
10.5465/256460
PMID
23787598

Data Quality

Data completeness: 81%