The philosophy of strategy

Abstract

The recent increase in philosophy of science articles in strategic management reflects researchers' rising concerns with understanding and securing the field's intellectual foundations. This article argues for a proactive approach to the philosophy of strategy, and for the rejection of conventional, ‘off-the-shelf’ philosophies that neither contemplated, nor can assimilate, the epistemological messiness and action-connectedness of strategic management. The article responds to Rodolphe Durand's critique, revisits the logic of competitive advantage, and makes the case for a pragmatist philosophy of strategy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.