[1] Previous to this theory, a common view was that organizations were thought to be designed along operational requirements based on the external environment.
These strategic choices formed part of an organizational learning process that adapted to the external environment as well as the internal political situation.
Apart from (but complementary to) organizational settings, strategic choice theory was studied with regard to individual's responses in ordinary, everyday disputes.
Findings include that both complainants and respondents used a variety of strategies that changed over time in an effort to resolve the dispute.
[2] The model of strategic choice was made when the relations of industries inside the United States were quickly changing.