Technology strategy formulation from a resource-based view: Booz-Allen & Hamilton methodology revisited

Abstract: The business environment of today is characterized by ever-increasing
turbulence. A continuous rise of technological opportunities, entrant of
new competitors and new requests by customers create a demand for
strategies aimed at continuously renewing sources of competitive advantage.
The winning formula for competitive advantage is speed, surprise and
technology development. Technology is increasingly considered as the main
contributor to strategy creation. The current trend in strategy research is
towards the “black-box of the corporation”, often carried out with the help
of a resource-based view.

This thesis focuses specifically on the formal strategic practices involved
in technology strategy formulation. One methodology for technology strategy
formulation is the Booz-Allen and Hamilton methodology. However, this
methodology is based on what is called the industrial organization school
of strategy rather than the resource-based view of strategy. One aim of
this thesis is to adopt a resource-based view on the Booz-Allen and
Hamilton methodology. Another aim of this thesis is to investigate the
relationship between technology strategy formulation, technology strategy
content and technology strategy implementation from a process management
perspective.

I find that a resource-based view of the corporation affect the Booz-Allen
and Hamilton methodology for technology strategy formulation. The
corporation should strive to keep flexibility in product markets by
focusing on the corporation’s resources and capabilities rather than
focusing on positions in the product market. Furthermore, a process
management perspective can help understand the interdependency between
technology strategy formulation, technology strategy content and technology
strategy implementation activities.