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Thesis (MBA) - CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH Business Administration Department

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ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to understand the role of strategic management in gaining competitive advantage and enhancing organizational performance. Strategic management is of high importance to organizations in our world today. It has enabled companies strive and be ahead of their competitors. The study provide a platform for the management of organizations to directly understand the significance of strategy in influencing organizational performance and competitive advantage. The related literature highlights that there is still lack of evidence to empirically reveal that strategic management enhances organizational performance. Therefore, by utilizing qualitative research this study aims to shed light on the views and evaluations of top level managers in organization on this instrumental role of strategic management in enhancing organizational performance. Most organizations that do not have strategic management perform below expected standards and they fall behind the competition. This research will be looking at managerial evaluations and perceptions on the instrumental role of strategic management on competitive advantage and organizational performance. In this research, the nature of strategic management, competitive advantage, and organizational performance are discussed. Qualitative methodology has been adopted as research design and electronic mail interviews were used to collect data. A total of 10 manufacturing companies in Lagos Nigeria contributed to the study. A total of 50 managers from these companies participated and answered the interview questions. The results revealed that strategic management contributes to gaining competitive advantage mostly through improved effectiveness and human resource management practices. As strategic management gives direction to the whole organization and communicates the vision and mission of the company to all organizational members goal attainment gains an instrumental role in increased overall organizational performance. Therefore, it is understood from the results of the interviews is that strategic management is instrumental through goal attainment, providing direction, and ensuring systematic documentation. The results of the study showed that all managers interviewed agree on the positive contribution of strategic management on both gaining competitive advantage and enhancing overall organizational performance. Further, the study reveals that quality management practices, administrative capabilities, technical capacity, and research and development are instrumental in gaining competitive advantage. In addition, study results exposed the factors that contribute to enhancing organizational performance as; human resources, administrative capabilities, research and development, and know-how. Keywords: Strategic Management, Competitive Advantage, Organizational Performance, Qualitative Analysis