Modeling the Effect of Strategic Foresight on Dynamic Capabilities: The Moderating Role of Environmental Uncertainty

Today, due to the rapid advances in science and technology, the ever-changing needs and demands of customers, the environment of organizations has become more dynamic, uncertain and complex. In fact, these changes have led to an era called uncertainty. To cope with uncertainty and shape uncertain environments, researchers generally agree that organizations need dynamic capabilities. However, limited studies have been conducted to develop these capabilities so far. This study addresses this gap and introduces strategic foresight as an important antecedent for the development of dynamic capabilities and formulating long-term strategies and policies in conditions of environmental uncertainty. The present study is descriptive from purpose dimension, applied from audience dimension  and in terms of data collection method, is correlation. The unit of analysis and the statistical population in the study are the Management and planning organizations of the country’s provinces, which were selected on a simple random sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and Smart PLS software. The results indicate that strategic foresight capabilities have a significant role in promoting and improving strategic flexibility, decision rationality and ambidexterity. In addition, the findings confirmed the moderating role of environmental uncertainty in relationship between strategic foresight and the mentioned dynamic capabilities. The study also found that the strategic foresight is the basic antecedent of dynamic capabilities and is one of the most effective fields of study for policy-making, dealing with uncertainties and the resulting challenges in organizations.