The relationship of big-picture and long-term strategic thinking to business leadership in Western Australia

The high rate of business failures suggests that while strategic thinking is widely acknowledged in theory in Western Australia (WA), it may not be widely practiced. MBA students and business leaders in WA were surveyed using a questionnaire posing clear business choices. The students and leaders were equally proficient at strategic thinking although the extent could be increased. While strategic thinking profiles were similar, it was found that the two groups differed in their choices on 21% of the items. In order to increase the level of strategic thinking among potential and current business leaders in WA, a number of practical suggestions are made.