Strategic responses to global challenges: The case of European banking, 1973–2000

In applying a strategy, structure, ownership and performance (SSOP) framework to three major clearing banks (ABN AMRO, UBS, Barclays), this article debates whether the conclusions generated by Whittington and Mayer about European manufacturing industry can be applied to the financial services sector. While European integration plays a key role in determining strategy, it is clear that global factors were far more important in determining management actions, leading to significant differences in structural adaptation. The article also debates whether this has led to improved performance, given the problems experienced with both geographical dispersion and diversification, bringing into question the quality of decision-making over the long term

Strategic foresight : effective decision-support systems

More than ever, strategic decision-makers are expected to develop sustainable long-term strategies for their public or private organizations. Strategic foresight systems support decision-makers in systematically improving the quality of their future assumptions, strategic decisions, and plans. This article summarizes the most important mechanisms of support, presents three distinctive types of foresight systems and widely used methods, and explains how strategic foresight is anchored in actual day-to-day practice

Smart Cities and Regions: Die digitale Transformation in der Stadtentwicklung und E-Government

Viele Städte weltweit haben es sich auf die Fahnen geschrieben, eine Smart City zu werden. Was bedeutet das aber in der Praxis? Dieser Beitrag versucht darzulegen, was eine Smart City ausmacht, was typische Anwendungen einer Smart City sind, und wie Städte diesen Transformationsprozess steuern können. Unterschiedliche Strategien sind möglich, deshalb geht es für eine Stadt vor allem darum, eine auf ihre Bedürfnisse und ihren Kontext angepasste Strategie zu finden