The fundamental question in the field of strategic management is how organisations achieve and sustain competitive advantage (Teece, et al, 1997) and therefore attain above industry-average profit. However, since both the business environment and individual firms are dynamic systems, continuously in flux, it is a big challenge to achieve a fit between these two systems (de Wit B and Meyer R., 2004) and therefore get the competitive advantage. This essay will firstly assess and consider the balance of market- led and resource-based approaches from the academic point of view. These two approaches should be viewed as complementary (Prahalad and Hamel, 1990; Mintzberg et al, 1995; Greenley and Oktemgil, 1996). Following the discussion, the essay just analyzes Nokia’s strategies and empirically justified the reciprocal and complementary relationship between these two approaches. On the process of Nokia’s development, the company achieved success because it could balance these two approaches well. Once it failed to do so, the company immediately suffered the fall in 2004, lost market share and decreased the revenue. However, the company quickly recovered because it followed the market trends, and simultaneously its strong internal strengths neutralised the external threats. In addition, I will argue that Nokia can maintain its market share and its market leader position in the following years based on the good market opportunities in mobile phone industry and its strong internal resources basis. Secondly, this essay will assess
Nokia’s strategies in terms of emergent and planned approaches as well. Within the dynamic and complex mobile phone industry, both approaches are necessary if Nokia is to succeed. In conclusion, all four approaches discussed collectively promote Nokia’s