Strategic Direction

The purpose of this paper is to review the recent developments within the non-military drone industry, and the increase thereafter of investment within the industry through mergers and acquisitions.

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

The rapid growth of the drone industry has caught the interest of firms and one mode of entry for many of these firms has been through mergers and acquisitions of emerging drone companies. Although the commercial-drone industry is still in its early stages, market consolidations and major investments are occurring despite strict governmental regulations.

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

This article aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

The briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is a frequently used expression that became the title of a popular song a few decades ago. It also seems to be the mantra at Acciona, world leading renewable energy and infrastructure organization. This bulldog spirit emerged when José Manuel Entrecanales became president and chief executive officer of the Spanish company in 2004. Ever since then the grandson of Acciona's founder has boldly pursued his goal of turning the group into a beacon of sustainability. Given the economic uncertainty that has blighted recent years, its successful transformation is all the more remarkable. Many organizations naturally respond to worsening conditions by battening down the hatches and retaining the status quo. Not this leader. As a result, Acciona ventured out of its comfort zone and began a program of substantial diversification.

The article provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.

To examine the innovations of this year's Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award winners.

Looks at the four award finalist's innovations.

Finds that each of the finalists had secured commercial opportunities through outstanding engineering innovation.

This paper presents many ideas for those innovators wishing to break down the barriers to practical application.

The aim of this viewpoint is to highlight new management thinking for achieving growth in a difficult economic environment.

The recent financial crisis has presented challenges for organizations to achieve growth while remaining sensitive to the needs of multiple stakeholders. These challenges were discussed in depth by senior executives attending a recent management conference. This summary is provided by a professor whose teaching and research focus on strategy and innovation, and distills the findings of the conference down to a guideline for strategic action.

Executives discuss the need for more integrative thinking and coordinated practice, creating more meaning within their organizations, connecting more substantively with external constituencies, and moving beyond mostly short term performance measures. Managing the company as a “nexus of capabilities” provides important competitive benefits while meeting these needs.

Strategic action steps for managing the business as a “nexus of capabilities” are provided in a concise outline format.

Ideas about how management can address the combination of growth and social concerns about business usually stays at a general level. This paper provides an actionable guideline derived from the experiences of companies that have already gone down this path. The paper presents the nature of the challenges and the summary of best practices discussed by strategy executives into a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Scans the top 400 management publications in the world to identify the most topical issues and latest concepts. These are presented in an easy‐to‐digest briefing of no more than 1,500 words.

Imagine a product innovation that could reduce jet engine noise by 90 per cent, change the way car engines are manufactured, revolutionize offshore drilling and extraction, and enable those suffering from incontinence to live a normal life. In fact, these are just some of the early application areas of a new class of valve and actuator being developed by Cambridge, UK, based Camcon Technology.

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.