The impact of strategic planning on corporate performance in a turbulent environment

SynopsisThis paper summarises the findings of recent research carried out into the effectiveness of strategic planning in the South African building materials industry. There appear to be four reasons why companies in the industry should urgently reassess their attitude towards the practice of strategic planning: 1. The present openness amongst authorities in accepting new and innovative building materials.2. The change in Government policy towards housing urban blacks.3. The increased concentration and sophistication of customer groupings.4. The demise of price control over building materials.These developments are believed to be changing the traditional rules of the game, making the industry far more competitive. Formalised strategic planning might have been a luxury in the past. It is, however, an imperative for the future.