Recovered-Resource Dependent Industries and the Strategic Renewal of Incumbent Firms: A Multi-Level Study of Recovered-Resource Dependence Management and Strategic Renewal in the European Paper and Board Industry Defended on Friday, 1 June 2007

Managing resource dependencies and strategic renewal is crucial for incumbent firms to survive. For firms operating in “recovered-resource dependent industries”, i.e. industries that to a large extent depend on recycled end-of-life-products for the continuation of production processes, this is even more complex. To create and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage, the return of these products has to be strategically organised and managed as well. This study seeks to extend research on resource dependence theory to the context of recovered-resource dependent industries. Based on several theoretical lenses a conceptual managerial framework is developed incorporating internal and external factors influencing strategic renewal and recovered-resource dependence management. A multi-level research design encompassing eight research settings is used to illustrate the conceptual framework. The results indicate why the European Paper and Board Industry and large incumbents belong to the best performing with regard to recycling rate. Furthermore, it is shown how management can influence a firm’s strategic renewal journey and recovered-resource dependence, using several resource dependence instruments, in order to contribute to sustainable competitive advantage.

Keywords

Resource Dependence Theory, Strategic Renewal, Multi-level approach, Recycling, European Paper and Board Industry, Managerial and Organisational Factors, Incumbent Firms


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