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The Achilles Heel of Firm Strategy: Resource Weaknesses and Distinctive Inadequacies

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  • G. Page West III
  • Julio DeCastro

Abstract

Two separately developed views within the strategic management literature elucidate the source of a firm's competitive advantage based on the internal attributes of the firm: the resource‐based view (Wernerfelt, 1984) and the distinctive competence view (Selznick, 1957). As developed in the literature, however, both views neglect important dimensions which inhibit the achievement of competitive advantage. These dimensions are resource weaknesses and distinctive inadequacies. Accounting for weaknesses and inadequacies exposes important choice‐sets confronting management in making resource investments, and of time‐related dimensions in developing sustainable advantage. Considering the effects of weaknesses and inadequacies provides insight on the limits to firm growth and to sustainability of competitive advantage. Theory on developing competitive advantage may lack explanatory and predictive power if it excludes these perspectives, which if included may also improve prescription for practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • G. Page West III & Julio DeCastro, 2001. "The Achilles Heel of Firm Strategy: Resource Weaknesses and Distinctive Inadequacies," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(3), pages 417-442, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:38:y:2001:i:3:p:417-442
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-6486.00243
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    Cited by:

    1. Omar R. Malik & Masaaki Kotabe, 2009. "Dynamic Capabilities, Government Policies, and Performance in Firms from Emerging Economies: Evidence from India and Pakistan," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 421-450, May.
    2. G. Page West III & Charles E. Bamford & Jesse W. Marsden, 2008. "Contrasting Entrepreneurial Economic Developments in Less-Developed Latin American Markets: Applications and Extensions of Resource-Based Theory," Discussion Paper Series 2008-03, McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte.
    3. Agnese Rapposelli & Giuliana Birindelli & Michele Modina, 2024. "The relationship between firm size and efficiency: why does default on bank loans matter?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 3379-3401, August.
    4. Hendrik Klier & Christian Schwens & Florian B. Zapkau & Desislava Dikova, 2017. "Which Resources Matter How and Where? A Meta-Analysis on Firms’ Foreign Establishment Mode Choice," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 304-339, May.
    5. Vohora, Ajay & Wright, Mike & Lockett, Andy, 2004. "Critical junctures in the development of university high-tech spinout companies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 147-175, January.
    6. G. Page West III & Charles E. Bamford & Jesse W. Marsden, 2008. "Contrasting Entrepreneurial Economic Development in Emerging Latin American Economies: Applications and Extensions of Resource-Based Theory," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 32(1), pages 15-36, January.
    7. Petra Gibcus & F. Stam, 2012. "Firm resources, dynamic capabilities, and the early growth of firms," Scales Research Reports H201219, EIM Business and Policy Research.
    8. Richard J. Arend, 2008. "Differences in RBV strategic factors and the need to consider opposing factors in turnaround outcomes," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(4), pages 337-355.
    9. Knudsen, Eirik Sjåholm & Belik, Ivan, 2023. "The Achilles heel of interconnected user networks: Network firms and the vulnerability of rapid decline," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    10. Sonya Wen & Cheng-Min Chuang, 2010. "To teach or to compete? A strategic dilemma of knowledge owners in international alliances," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 697-726, December.
    11. Wennberg, Karl & Wiklund, Johan & Wright, Mike, 2011. "The effectiveness of university knowledge spillovers: Performance differences between university spinoffs and corporate spinoffs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(8), pages 1128-1143, October.
    12. Belso-Martinez, Jose A. & Molina-Morales, F. Xavier & Mas-Verdu, Francisco, 2013. "Combining effects of internal resources, entrepreneur characteristics and KIS on new firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(10), pages 2079-2089.
    13. Stoel, M. Dale & Muhanna, Waleed A., 2011. "IT internal control weaknesses and firm performance: An organizational liability lens," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 280-304.
    14. Lukáš Čechura & Zdeňka Žáková Kroupová & Michaela Lekešová, 2022. "Productivity and efficiency in Czech agriculture: Does farm size matter?," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 68(1), pages 1-10.
    15. A. Heirman & B.T Clarysse & V. Van Den Haute, 2003. "How and Why Do Firms Differ at Start-Up? A Resource-Based Configurational Perspective," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 03/198, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    16. Lukman Raimi & Mirela Panait & Iza Gigauri & Simona Andreea Apostu, 2023. "Thematic Review of Motivational Factors, Types of Uncertainty, and Entrepreneurship Strategies of Transitional Entrepreneurship among Ethnic Minorities, Immigrants, and Women Entrepreneurs," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-24, January.

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