Today many business environments are characterized by frequent changes that result in a higher market dynamism and complexity. Global media industries are an up-to-date example of this development: a fast growth period was followed by a rapid downturn. Media companies wrote off a colossal US$ 120 billion from their balance sheets in 2002 - mostly as a result of growth strategies'' failure. It seems that despite popular belief growth or market share by itself is less than ever before a guarantor of success. Sebastian Raisch decided to analyze various strategies in order to gain a bett8r understanding of the determinants of successful firm performance. When he decided to go on a research journey into the elements and dynamics of strategic thinking and firm performance he brought along all the ingredients necessary for such a challenging project; he had experience gained through exhaustive consulting work, excellent knowledge of management theories and, as a result of his studies and activities as a research assistant, specific knowledge of strategic management. His research objectives were furthermore clearly defined and, thanks to a meticulously planned and well-organized project as well as his enthusiasm for the topic, he had ready access to an empirical field.
