In strategic management, different levels of strategy refer to the hierarchical levels within an organization at which strategic decisions are made and implemented. These levels typically include corporate strategy, business unit strategy, and functional strategy.

Here’s a brief overview of each level…

1. Corporate Strategy
   • Corporate strategy is developed at the highest level of the organization, typically by the senior management team or board of directors.
   • It involves decisions related to the overall scope and direction of the organization, including which industries to compete in, how to allocate resources among different businesses or divisions, and how to create synergies across diverse business units.
   • Corporate strategy addresses questions such as diversification, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and international expansion.
   • The goal of corporate strategy is to maximize the overall long-term performance and value of the entire organization.
2. Business Unit Strategy
   • Business unit strategy focuses on a specific business unit or division within the organization.
   • It involves decisions related to how the business unit will compete effectively within its industry or market segment, including its positioning, target customers, product offerings, and competitive advantage.
   • Business unit strategy addresses questions such as market penetration, product development, market expansion, differentiation, and cost leadership.
   • The goal of the business unit strategy is to achieve sustainable competitive advantage and profitable growth within the targeted market.
3. Functional Strategy
   • Functional strategy pertains to the strategic decisions made within individual functional areas or departments of the organization, such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and information technology.
   • It involves decisions related to how each functional area will support the overall corporate and business unit strategies, including resource allocation, capabilities development, and performance improvement.
   • Functional strategies are aligned with the broader organizational objectives and contribute to achieving them through the effective execution of specific tasks and activities.
   • Examples of functional strategies include marketing strategy, financial strategy, operations strategy, HR strategy, and IT strategy.

These different levels of strategy are interconnected and mutually supportive, with each level contributing to the overall strategic direction and success of the organization. Effective strategic management involves aligning strategies across these levels, ensuring coherence, synergy, and integration in pursuit of the organization’s mission and objectives.