Current theory acknowledges the central role of top managers in shaping the firm's overall pattern of competitive activity. But it gives short shrift to the multifaceted processes by which diverse participants affect the strategic work of analyzing, formulating, and implementing competitive actions. We propose managerial interfaces as a complementary perspective – one where interfaces among top managers, relevant stakeholders, and other strategic contributors both enable and constrain that strategic work. We advance propositions regarding how different properties of managerial interfaces give rise to specific competitive action patterns. We conclude with a range of implications for theory and directions for future research.

当前的理论承认高层管理人员在塑造公司整体竞争活动模式方面的核心作用。但它对不同参与者影响分析、制定和实施竞争行动的战略工作的多方面过程置若罔闻。我们建议将管理界面作为一种补充视角——高层管理人员、相关利益相关者和其他战略贡献者之间的界面既能促进也能限制战略工作。我们提出了关于管理界面的不同属性如何产生特定竞争行为模式的命题。我们总结了对未来研究的理论和方向的一系列影响。