Strategic management is the means by which organisa-tions achieve their desired levels of success. The studyand exploration of strategic management is thereforeimportant to understand policy and strategic devel op-ment within organisations. The need to explore therelationship between the stated intentions of strategicmanagement and the reality of operat ional activity isparticularly important if those who seek to influencechange and organisational development are to do soin an evidence based way that is grounded withinreality (Crossan 2003).