The Strategy Implementation Capability (SIC) Scale: A Learning-Based Measure of How To Make Strategy Implementation Effective

Although scholars and managers agree on the relevance of effective strategy implementation (SI) for performance, related research remains limited and SI effectiveness still is not understood well. This is mainly because research largely has neglected to focus on SI as a key organizational capability. Drawing on organizational learning (OL) theory, this paper provides a conceptualization of and develops a higher-order measure for a firm’s strategy implementation capability (SIC). The scale is validated and empirically tested with two samples (sample 1: 268 senior implementation managers with experience in strategy implementation; sample 2 with 72 strategy developerimplementer dyads). Additionally, the paper proposes reduced scales of the construct of SIC for easier integration into future implementation-related research. In terms of theory, this paper advances our understanding of organizational capabilities and SI effectiveness. Managerially it suggests ways to build and manage this important resource effectively for competitive advantage.