What drives organisational performance: strategic thinking, technological change, strategic risks? A modified total interpretive structural modelling approach and MICMAC analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explain the interrelationships between the elements of strategic thinking, technological change and strategic risks. The main objective of this research is to identify the hierarchy for the elements of thinking, technological change and strategic risk and also to identify the driving powers of these elements. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used in this study is modified total interpretive structural modelling and MICMAC analysis which gives the interrelationships and also the driving powers of the elements by analysing the relationships between the elements from the existing literature. This method helps us in answering/understanding the “what”, “how” and “why” of the research. Modified total Interpretive structural modeling is considered in this study, which helps in doing both the paired comparisons and transitivity checks simultaneously. A digraph is constructed at the end of the analysis, which shows the links between the elements, and a driver dependence matrix is constructed, which shows the driving powers. Findings This study gives an understanding of the role of the elements, the relationships between them and the hierarchy of addressing these elements, and also the driving and dependence power. Findings of this research give us an understanding of how strategic thinking/technological change/strategic drives the performance of the firm. Research limitations/implications This study is conducted with the help of existing literature; this can be further extended by considering the expert opinion. Practical implications The model explains the direct and transitive links of the elements and the strength of the relation between them, which helps the researchers and the practitioners to understand the driving power and importance of these constructs. It also helps us to understand the role of these elements and, if implemented in an organisation, which elements need to be prioritised for enhancing the performance of the firm. Originality/value Research done in the past has individually analysed the elements effecting strategic thinking; this study identifies the relationships between the elements of all three constructs and helps in understanding the levels of hierarchy.