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Organizing strategic foresight: A contextual practice of 'way finding'

Sarpong, David; Maclean, Mairi; Alexander, Elizabeth

Authors

David Sarpong

Mairi Maclean

Elizabeth Alexander



Abstract

Strategic foresight as a derived outcome of corporate foresight exercises has led to the dominant discourse on strategic foresight as an episodic intervention encompassing a proliferation of organizational foresight methodologies. We argue that such an approach is flawed, consigning strategic foresight to a narrow function in a planning perspective. To move the field into more fertile pastures for research, we draw on the practice theoretical lens to provide an alternative viewpoint on strategic foresight as a bundle of everyday organizing practices. In keeping with the practice approach to strategic foresight, we delineate strategic foresight as a continuous and contextual practice of 'wayfinding', that manifest in everyday situated organizing. We offer an integrating framework that contributes to the ongoing discussions about alternative approaches to theorizing strategic foresight. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Citation

Sarpong, D., Maclean, M., & Alexander, E. (2013). Organizing strategic foresight: A contextual practice of 'way finding'. Futures, 53, 33-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2013.09.001

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Sep 1, 2013
Journal Futures
Print ISSN 0016-3287
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 53
Pages 33-41
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2013.09.001
Keywords strategic foresight, social practice, scenario planning, strategic planning
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/928713
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2013.09.001




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