Identification and Conceptualization ofthe Consequences of Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is a core competence for organizations to stay in today's global and turbulent environment. Despite the consensus on the role of strategic thinking in achieving organizational results, most researchers studying the subject, have focused on the nature and factors affecting the strategic thinking, so, studies that explain the results and consequences of strategic thinking are rare in number and perspective.. The purpose of this paper is to identify and conceptualize a model for explaining the consequences of strategic thinking. In order to configure a comprehensive model, we used the research strategy of multi grounded theory (MGT).  We first began a systematic review of the related studies that have been conducted over the last 40 years and then interviewed twenty seven experts who were selected through a purposive and snowball sampling methods. The findings  led to the development of a model that conceptualized the consequences of strategic thinking in three groups: "Developing Organizational Capacities", "Achieving Financial Results" and "Improving Organizational Position in the Environment.". In order to validate the results and evaluate the model from the perspective of "understandability", "comprehensiveness", "applicability" and "innovation", we conducted experts survey over two sequential stages. The result of surveys verified the validity of the acquired results and appropriateness of the final model.