A field research on the relationship between strategic decision‐making speed and innovation performance in the case of Turkish large‐scale firms

Purpose – This study aims to: identify organizational and environmental factors affecting strategic decision‐making speed; examine the relationship between those factors and innovation performance; and clarify the relationship between strategic decision‐making speed and innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted on 73 large‐scale firms operating in the manufacturing industry in Turkey, in May 2006 and December 2006. Findings – The research findings related to the linkage between participation and strategic decision‐making speed indicate that extensive participation accelerates the pace of decision making. Research limitations/implications – This survey was conducted on CEOs and top managers of large‐scale manufacturing firms operating in Turkey. Cultural differences may become evident from those findings. Also, results might be different if only small and medium‐size firms, or firms in different industries were used. Originality/value – This survey is one of the first to examine the strategic decision speed and innovation performance relationship, revealing the positive effect of strategic decision speed on innovation performance. It is the first one to be conducted in an Eastern country like Turkey, filling the gap in the literature.