Strategy as Practice: An Activity Based Approach - Strategic Practice

In this review of Strategy as Practice: An Activity Based Approach, the bottom line is simple: this is an academic, practice-focused book for readers who want to connect everyday managerial actions to organizational strategy. Paula Jarzabkowski presents a clear, activity-based framework that helps translate abstract strategy concepts into observable practices, making it valuable for researchers, consultants and reflective managers who seek a grounded method rather than a quick how-to. The book's focus on definitions, context and empirical illustration provides the single biggest reason to buy: it bridges the gap between what managers actually do and formal strategy theory.

Key Features

• Activity-based framework: Offers a practical structure for studying strategy that links concrete managerial activities to larger organizational direction.
• Definitions and clarity: Explains key terms in the emerging strategy-as-practice field so readers can adopt a consistent vocabulary.
• Contextual background: Sets the development of the field in context, helping readers understand why practice-focused study matters now.
• Empirical examples: Uses real-world evidence to illustrate how the framework operates in everyday strategic work.
• Concepts and models: Provides accessible frameworks and models that can be applied by researchers and reflective practitioners.

Who It's For

Strategy as Practice is aimed squarely at academics, doctoral students and researchers in strategic management who want a rigorous, practice-oriented perspective. It also suits consultants and organizational leaders who prefer frameworks grounded in observation and empirical evidence rather than prescriptive templates.

Those seeking a quick practitioner handbook or step-by-step implementation guide should look elsewhere, since the book emphasizes conceptual clarity and empirical illustration over actionable checklists for immediate operational change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a well-defined activity-based framework that helps connect action to strategy.
• Clarifies terminology and the intellectual context for the strategy-as-practice field, aiding researchers and students.
• Includes empirical examples that make abstract concepts tangible and easier to study or teach.

Cons

• Not a quick-apply manual for managers seeking immediate step-by-step tactics; it is more conceptual and research-oriented.

Specifications

Title	Strategy as Practice: An Activity Based Approach
Author / Brand	Paula Jarzabkowski
Series	SAGE Strategy series
Focus	Activity-based framework for strategy
Content highlights	Definitions, context, concepts, frameworks and empirical evidence
Audience	Researchers, doctoral students, consultants and reflective managers

Our Verdict

Strategy as Practice is a thoughtful, well-structured contribution for anyone studying or teaching strategic management from a practice perspective. It is good value for researchers and reflective practitioners because it offers conceptual clarity, an activity-based framework and empirical examples that make strategy observable and analyzable rather than abstract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include practical examples?
Yes. The book uses empirical evidence and real-world illustration to show how the activity-based framework works in practice.

Who benefits most from reading it?
Researchers, doctoral students and consultants who want a rigorous, practice-focused approach to strategy will get the most value.

Is it a how-to guide for managers?
No. The book is conceptual and research-oriented rather than a quick implementation manual for immediate managerial tactics.