Organizations often respond in different ways to common external shocks. To advance
theories on organizational adaptation and performance heterogeneity, it is essential to
understand different reasons for different organizational responses. We examine how
incumbents in carbon-intensive industries adapt to heightened environmental pressure to
reduce carbon emissions. Based on a review of the literature, we propose three dimensions
along which diverse organizational responses can be efficiently mapped out: goal, timing …

It has been an important topic in strategy research to understand different organizational
responses and the reasons behind these differences, because such understanding enables
to better explain the performance implications and inter-firm heterogeneity therein. It is also
important for policymakers who attempt to expect how a policy change will influence what
the firms of interest are going to do. They would also want to learn more about factors and
forces that lead to specific organizational responses.However, our understanding of how …