Identifying the Affecting Functions the Cognitive Performance of Strategic Managers

Cognitive performance includes a set of capacities that enable the individuals to recognize, process, and respond to information. Cognitive performance, mental structures, and cognitive functions of strategic organizations’ managers are very critical factors in the success of organizations and achieving their strategic goals. Therefore, this study aims to identify and prioritize the cognitive functions affecting the cognitive performance of strategic managers.

The method used in this research is a qualitative-quantitative sequential mixed research method in which a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is used sequentially. In this research, first using qualitative methods, the cognitive functions affecting managers' cognitive performance are identified and then in a quantitative phase, using statistical analysis, a novel methods of multi-criteria decision making the identified factors are prioritized.

In the qualitative section, after reviewing the literature, 14 cognitive functions affecting the cognitive performance of managers were extracted and the conceptual model of the research is presented. In the quantitative part, using the implementation of statistical methods and a multi-criteria decision making method, cognitive functions were prioritized and the weight of each of these functions is calculated. "Planning function" and "performing several tasks simultaneously" have been selected as the most important functions among the prioritized cognitive functions, which have obtained the highest average final weight.

It is concluded that avoiding managerial errors due to low levels of managerial performance in any of the cognitive functions can cause irreparable problems that subconsciously reduce the efficiency of relevant organizations. In this research, by identifying and prioritizing cognitive functions affecting the cognitive performance of strategic managers, it is possible to prevent cognitive errors, reduce the accuracy factor, and increase the accuracy of decisions.