Diversification Strategy Research at a Crossroads: Established, Emerging and Anticipated Paths.

According to the author, diversification strategy is one of the most important strategic challenges facing top executives. This paper explores the different research paths in the literature of diversification strategy and provides arguments as to what each one holds for advancing theory development. The first path reviews conceptual and theoretical developments of diversification strategy with the intent to offer insight on where the literature has been and how it has evolved. The next two paths build upon this review, offering a discussion of how some current thinking is emerging. The last path offers some sketches for where fruitful contributions may exist in future research. Overall, the author hopes to provide a research agenda that challenges traditional theories and compels new thinking that will enrich our understanding of this important strategic topic.