The Function of Narrative and Storytelling in Corporate Strategy and Change Management within Global Contexts

Abstract

This systematic review integrates a substantial collection of 150 peer-reviewed studies to develop an innovative, narrative-focused model for the execution of corporate strategy. The analysis reveals a significant deficiency: although substantial research validates the significance of human factors, i.e., leadership, ethics, technology adoption, and collaborative culture. However, precise mechanism for mobilizing these factors is inadequately examined. This review asserts that strategic narrative constitutes the principal mechanism. Through a rigorous thematic analysis, we illustrate how narrative serves as a crucial sense-making instrument, shaping social identity and affecting behavioral determinants to reconcile the strategy-execution divide. We formulate and endorse four fundamental hypotheses, establishing narrative as a facilitator of change readiness, a catalyst for values-driven behavior, a 
humanizing framework for technology integration, and a cultural foundation for knowledge dissemination. The results lead to useful policy suggestions that call for organizations to officially include narrative skills 
in leadership training, change management procedures, and strategic communication to create businesses that are strong, flexible, and focused on people. 
Keywords 
Strategic Narrative, Storytelling, Strategy Execution, Change Management, Sensemaking, Corporate Strategy, Leadership Communication, Organizational Behavior, Knowledge Management, and Thematic Analysis