Abstract
Younger and older organizations approach strategic orientation differently. This research uses the theoretical approaches of organizational change, liability of newness, and liability of aging to examine younger and older organizations' approaches in the competitive arena with their varying competitive competencies. Results from a study of 141 small businesses suggest that an external strategic focus is associated with higher performance for younger firms, whereas an internal strategic focus is associated with higher performance for more mature firms. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.