Strategic types, implementation, and capabilities: Sustainability policies of local governments

Abstract

AbstractThe success of strategic plans is dependent on strategy implementation, yet little research has been conducted on strategy implementation relative to the strategy formulation stage. This article casts research questions on how organizational capabilities and resources affect strategy implementation, and how the implementation differs by strategic type. To address the climate change problem, local governments mobilize and allocate capabilities and resources and implement policy actions. Utilizing Miles and Snow's strategic typology, the article examines the factors for variation in implementation patterns among cities, with some implementing policies as “defenders” and others as “prospectors” across multiple policy domains. Analysis of energy policy action data from US cities reveals the distinct capabilities and resources required for the implementation of each strategic type.