When described with historical perspective since it arrived in the mid 1960s, strategic planning has been embraced

as a way of outflanking competitors with big plays that yield long term rent from a sustainable advantage (Bhide, 1986). The idea of strategy as gained much support in todays modern society due to its supposed ability to generate sustained competitive advantage (John A. Pearce II, 1987). This literature review places the article Crafting strategy (Mintzberg, 1987) in the wider context of prescriptive versus emergent debate. In Crafting strategy Mintzberg distinguishes between planning strategy and crafting strategy. Mintzberg view on strategic planning is clear. Strategic planning isnt strategic thinking. One is analysis and the other is synthesis (Mintzberg, 1994). According to Mintzberg the current practise of strategic planning separates thinking from doing. He claims the current implementation of strategic planning can be best described as strategic programming, the articulation and elaboration of strategies, or visions that already exists (Mintzberg, 1994) thereby limiting intuition and creativity. Mintzberg idea on strategic planning is further emphasised by Brian Boyd who suggest prescriptive strategy limits organisation creativity and innovative skills. (Boyd*, 1991). Psychologist on prescriptive planning says Articulation of strategy locks it into place, thereby impeding willingness to change it (Kiesler, 1971). Separating execution from formulation develops commitments and procedures, in the form of plans, programmes and controls elaborated down a hierarchy (Henry Mintzberg, 1985). The fact is that organisations who implement prescriptive strategy plan not to be flexible but to realize specific intentions.

Bibliography
Bhide, A., 1986. Hustle as Strategy. Havard Business Revie, 64(5), p. 7. Boyd*, B. K., 1991. STRATEGIC PLANNING AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: A META-ANALYTIC REVIEW*. Journal of Management Studies, 28(4), pp. 253-374. John A. Pearce II, E. B. F. a. R. B. R. J., 1987. The Tenuous Link Between Formal Strategic Planning and Financial Performance. Academy of Management Review, 12(4), pp. 658-675. Mintzberg, H., 1987. Crafting strategy. Harvard Business Review, 65(4), pp. 66-75. Mintzberg, H., 1994. The Fall and Rise of Strategic Planning. Harvard Business Review, pp. 107-114.