Based on a study of residential estate agents, comprising one of the most sophisticated datasets ever gathered in the field of managerial and organizational cognition to date, this book provides strong supporting evidence for a number of key theoretical concepts. It powerfully demonstrates why we need well-validated techniques to improve strategic thinking from a psychological standpoint. This volume will be of interest to researchers and advanced students in the field of strategic management, organizational theory and behaviour, organizational psychology and marketing. ÍNDICE PART 1: INTRODUCTION Research Agenda and Key Themes The Study Methodological Approach Structure of the Book PART 2: THE COGNITIVE ANALYSIS OF COMPETITION IN INDUSTRIES AND MARKETS Background to the Development of Cognitive Approaches for the Analysis of Competitive Structures Theoretical Developments in the Cognitive Analysis of Competitive Structures Empirical Studies of Competitive Enactment and Related Conceptions: A Review and Critique Methodological Issues in the Analysis of Competitor Cognition Research Agenda PART 3: THE RESEARCH CONTEXT The UK Residential Estate Agency Industry Major Developments in the Industry Relevance of the Industry to the Research Objectives Conclusion PART 4: RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN The Research Instruments: Background and Development Sampling and Data Collection Procedures Reliability Analysis and Data Reduction Construct Validity of the Scales Comparison of Returners and Non-returners Summary and Conclusions PART 5: MENTAL MODELS OF COMPETITIVE SPACE AND THEIR CORRELATES Assessing Actors' Mental Models of Competitive Space Results and Discussion Summary and Conclusions PART 6: HOMOGENEITY AND DIVERSITY Inter-organizational Subgroup Comparisons Functional Subgroup Comparisons Summary and Conclusions PART 7: LONGITUDINAL STABILITY Longitudinal Comparison of Market Conditions and Strategic Behaviours Longitudinal Analyses of Mental Models of Competitive Space