In recent years, corporate strategy has seen a plethora of instant solutions, such as downsizing, re-engineering, outsourcing and continuous innovation. This is in contrast to the earlier emphasis upon scope and synergy. This text presents a balance by setting strategic trends in their historical context. Topics are considered as a series of options, rather than as strategic imperatives and corporate decisions explained by general analysis, supported by examples from a number of firms in Europe, America, Japan and South Korea, in both manufacturing and service industries. The text is primarily intended for undergraduate and MBA business programmes.