Porter’s generic strategies, dynamic environments, and performance: A profile deviation fit perspective.

This study reports an examination of the relationships between Porter's (1980) generic strategies, dynamic environments, and performance. In the study, profile deviation is used to test strategy-environment fit. A sample of 173 acute care hospitals was used to test the proposed relationship. Results from the study indicate that adherence to an externally specified ideal strategy profile has a positive effect on firm performance. From a methodological standpoint, results suggest that empirical and theoretical profiles have equal predictive validity, and both have a higher predictive validity, than a random profile. Results also suggest that profiles can not be assumed to be robust to differences in performance measures used.