Constructing strategic organization: A field whose time has come

Abstract

As Strategic Organization—SO!—turns 20, we reflect on the inspirations and aspirations behind the journal’s creation, contemplate its accomplishments, and share some themes it might amplify in the future. We find much to celebrate, as well as things to contemplate. The journal has accomplished a great deal during its adolescent and teen years. Our original inspirations and aspirations, updated by our successors, have positioned the journal as the forum for integrative research on strategy and organizations that is pursued rigorously and in an open-minded way. While we think our original vision for Strategic Organization has largely been realized—both for the journal and the field—we see interesting and important openings for new strategic organization research initiatives in areas including novel designs, emerging socio-political processes, and widening societal effects; initiatives we believe will benefit from research approaches that emphasize template eclecticism and careful detective work.