Influences on strategic management styles among fast growth medium-sized firms in France and Germany

Abstract The central aim of this research is to examine the entrepreneur's perception of strategic management in a study of fast growth medium-sized organizations. The literature on strategic management styles is reviewed to develop research propositions. The propositions are then evaluated through an analysis of in-depth interviews with owner-manager entrepreneurs in France and Germany. The findings are that entrepreneurs in these fast growth medium-sized firms adopt hybrid styles of strategic management - a synthesis of entrepreneurial, adaptive, small and large firm characteristics. However, an enduring characteristic of all of the firms is retention of the attributes of entrepreneurial orientation at the core of the strategic management style. Even though there are common patterns due to personal preferences, attitudes and organizational influences, each firm has an individual and particular strategic management style. The research findings provide further evidence to challenge the accepted management ideas of appropriate and standardized organizational structures and styles, with implications for management practice and research in firms undergoing fast growth.