Acceptance of management science recommendations: The role of cognitive styles and dogmatism

The results show the need for special efforts required in choosing report format and style to suit different categories of individuals with varying cognitive skills and level of open-mindedness.

Abstract

The results of studies concerning the effect of personality variables on the successful implementation of management science recommendations have been equivocal. Although several studies in the past have shown significant effect of personality variables, recently a few studies have shown that lack of any impact due to these variables. Very few studies have considered the effect of dogmatism which has been shown in psychological literature as a powerful restrictor in entertaining new ideas and suggestions for decision making. Our study examines the effect of dogmatism and cognitive styles in choosing management science recommendations. The results show the need for special efforts required in choosing report format and style to suit different categories of individuals with varying cognitive skills and level of open-mindedness. Even subtle variations seem to produce the difference between success and failure of implementation.