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Organization Studies
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The Threat of Failure, the Perils of Success and CEO Character: Sources of Strategic Persistence

Veronica Kisfalvi

Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Montreal, Montreal, Canada

The survival and continuing prosperity of an organization depends on its ability to remain flexible and responsive to changes in its own performance levels as well as in its environment. However, some organizations persist instead in pursuing strategies that may no longer be appropriate and that can at times turn out to be disastrous. There are two related streams of explanations for this phenomenon: those that see inappropriate strategic persistence as a possible response to potential failure (escalating commitment to a chosen course of action) and those that see it as a possible outcome of success (the perils of success or excellence). Based on findings from a case study, this article argues that the strategist's character-based personal issues can also contribute to strategic persistence.

Key Words: escalation of commitment • decision making • perils of success • strategic leadership • strategic persistence

Organization Studies, Vol. 21, No. 3, 611-639 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/0170840600213006
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Home page
 Journal of Management InquiryHome page
V. Kisfalvi and P. Pitcher
Doing What Feels Right: The Influence of CEO Character and Emotions on Top Management Team Dynamics
Journal of Management Inquiry, March 1, 2003; 12(1): 42 - 66.
[Abstract] [PDF]