How do Personal Values Relate to Strategic Thinking

Sammanfattning: In the light of globalization and a growing demand for handling complexity and uncertainty, the ability to think strategically is a vital asset for future managers. However, there is no consensus in the definition of strategic thinking. Nevertheless, many theorists suggest on a relationship between strategic thinking and personal values, though the detailed specifics in this connection is inadequate. The aim of this study is thus to investigate the correlation between strategic thinking and personal values in management students (N = 110) who aspire to become future managers. To examine the correlation, the students’ cognitive abilities are measured through an automated psychometric assessment tool, Cognitive Process Profile (CPP). The students’ personal value systems are measured in a self-assessed psychometric tool, Value Orientations (VO). The results from the correlation analysis between cognitive ability and personal value systems displayed hardly any statistically significant correlations, and the few correlations found were consistently very weak. Therefore, the findings from this study were insufficient in discovering any specific relationship between personal values and strategic-thinking.