Publications Database

Welcome to the new Schulich Peer-Reviewed Publication Database!

The database is currently in beta-testing and will be updated with more features as time goes on. In the meantime, stakeholders are free to explore our faculty’s numerous works. The left-hand panel affords the ability to search by the following:

  • Faculty Member’s Name;
  • Area of Expertise;
  • Whether the Publication is Open-Access (free for public download);
  • Journal Name; and
  • Date Range.

At present, the database covers publications from 2012 to 2020, but will extend further back in the future. In addition to listing publications, the database includes two types of impact metrics: Altmetrics and Plum. The database will be updated annually with most recent publications from our faculty.

If you have any questions or input, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

Search Results

Jingqin Su, Xin Gao, Justin Tan (2024). "Positioning for Optimal Distinctiveness: How Firms Manage Competitive and Institutional Pressures under Dynamic and Complex Environment", Strategic Management Journal, 45(2), 333-361.

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Keywords
Abstract

Research Summary

How firms strategically balance legitimacy and distinctiveness has garnered significant attention but reflects inconsistent perspectives. This inconsistency may stem from the inherent complexity of optimal distinctiveness (OD), which are sensitive to both the context and temporality. This article explores dynamic changes in institutional and competitive pressures and how they co-evolve with different OD strategies. Through an exploratory, multi-case study, we propose a pressure-response model to uncover how firms dynamically pursue OD in response to different combinations of pressures. Furthermore, our findings reveal the mechanisms that drive the dynamic interactions between distinctiveness and legitimacy across different OD strategies. In essence, this study contributes to the OD research agenda by providing insights into the evolution of OD strategies, addressing the how and why behind their development.

Managerial Summary

Can enterprises effectively balance their needs for legitimacy and distinctiveness by achieving an optimal level of similarity and differentiation from their competitors? This article demonstrates that, in the face of multiple pressures with varying intensities, enterprises continuously adapt their strategic choices to achieve optimal distinctiveness (OD). As institutional and competitive pressures gradually intensify, an enterprise's OD strategies may transition from isomorphic and balancing approaches toward deviation. However, when accumulated inertia hinders the enterprise's ability to respond to emerging pressures, adjustments to the OD strategy may become necessary. Therefore, this study offers entrepreneurs a practical guide on how to dynamically maintain their enterprise's OD by selecting appropriate strategies based on the specific circumstances at hand.