This book brings together the underlying concepts, analytical methods, processes of development and problems of corporate strategy, enabling readers to understand the role of corporate strategy within a variety of organizations and providing guidance in the formulation and implementation of strategy. Features include: an approach based on economic analysis and planning, and organizational decision-making within a social, political and cultural process; a strongly European/international perspective, with more than 60 company illustrations; an integrated treatment of the cultural context of strategy; coverage of the increasingly important issues of power and process of strategy, formulation and change; a case section comprising 17 studies. The text includes diagrams of key frameworks, chapter introductions, end-of-section work assignments, references and key readings. Features new to the fourth edition include: competences, core competences and links to the value chain; bases of stategy at corporate and business level; global aspects of strategic management; corporate parenting and control; strategic architecture; networks, allians and virtual organizations; the strategic importance of information; and mechanisms of strategic change.