The Jingyi Strategy: A Review of Conceptual Origins, Theoretical Integration, and Future Research Directions

The Jingyi strategy, an emerging strategic management concept rooted in the Chinese context, draws on the Eastern philosophy of weijing weiyi (pursuing refinement and singleness of purpose) and creatively integrates Western strategic management theory. Its discriminant validity from the focus, specialization, and niche strategies remains untested. Synthesizing literature published between 2000 and 2026, this review clarifies the strategy’s three-dimensional core—focus, refinement, and persistence—and traces its convergence with Chinese and Western academic thought. It draws evidence from 23 core studies, stating the evidential basis for each element. Direct evidence covers orientation and managerial cognition among the antecedents, firm performance and competitive advantage among the outcomes, and all three moderators (absorptive capacity, exploratory learning and environmental dynamism). The remaining antecedents and outcomes, and the four mediating mechanisms (resource orchestration, knowledge integration, dynamic capabilities and technological innovation), are integrated through transfer from adjacent constructs as a first-order priority for confirmation. Dark-side risks, such as specialization lock-in and environmental vulnerability, are documented for firms that have sustained the strategy. This review advances five falsifiable propositions linking the strategy to AI-empowered digital transformation, long-term orientation, ambidexterity, hidden champion entrepreneurial orientation, and sustainability. From an ambiculturalism perspective, it promotes dialog between Chinese and Western strategic thought.