This study report summarizes the results of the first systematic survey of chief strategy officers (CSOs) in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, a research project jointly conducted by the University of St. Gallen and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. The study aims at deepening our understanding of the CSO's roles, background, working relationships, strategic decision-making, and agenda. We define those executives as CSOs who are leading their firms' strategy function or have a similar role. This typically includes executives with titles such as VP Acquisitions, VP Corporate Development, SVP Corporate Planning, Managing Director Corporate Strategy, Head of Planning, and VP Strategic Initiatives.