An exploratory study towards business sustainability through strategic leadership in emerging pharmaceutical business of South Africa

Strategic leadership is crucial in today's complex, ever-changing global economy. To achieve wholesale pharmaceutical industry goals, all strategic leaders must be proficient in strategic leadership. Successful pharmaceutical wholesalers focus on strategic planning, process simplification, culture management, and human resource development. This exploratory research examined how strategic leadership can keep a Durban pharmaceutical company competitive in a changing industry. This paper examines how a pharmaceutical company in Durban, South Africa, used strategic leadership to gain a competitive advantage. This research included ten strategic pharmaceutical leaders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with strategic leaders. The thematic analysis showed how strategic leadership skills and responsibilities keep a company competitive. The results showed that Alpha Pharma's competitive advantage in Durban was impacted by strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, diversity management, and collective leadership. This study confirms that strategic leadership involves establishing a course of action, dealing with business complexities, advocating for a new organisational structure, shaping the company's culture, and developing its human resources. Research about strategic leadership helps pharmaceutical companies build internal capabilities and adapt to a changing market.