A Research on the Cognitive and Behavioral Foundations of Strategic Management: 1995-2020

Abstract

This study analyzes the theories and research topics which address the cognitive and behavioral foundations of strategic management. In the research, the citation analysis as a bibliometric technique and qualitative content analysis as a qualitative research method were used. In 1995-2007 and 2008-2020 periods, the biggest contribution was made by a behavioral theory of the firm and by social psychology/cognitive theories. When 1995-2007 and 2008-2020 periods above were evaluated together, it was deduced that the topics such as managerial cognition, cognitive schemata, sense-making, managerial human/social capital, strategic decision-making, entrepreneurship, managerial attention and emotions guided the way for research studies that conducted at individual level of analysis.The dynamic capabilities came to the forefront at organizational level of analysis whereas the competitive dynamic and behavioral strategy themes came forward in strategic phenomena. Again, when 1995-2007 and 2008-2020 periods are evaluated together, the effect of inter-organizational and contextual analysis levels between 1995-2007 is quite limited. However, between 2008-2020, social networks at the inter-organizational level and the environment, institutions and market phenomena at the contextual level came to the fore.