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Of Hedgehogs and Foxes : The Influence of Individual Cognition on Public Value
ISBN
978-953-57413-3-6
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2014-04-04
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Tipurić, Darko
Mešin, Marina
Abstract
This study links individual cognitive style as classified by the hedgehog-fox dichotomy originally introduced by Isaiah Berlin to the perception of businesses' value creation for society, building on the public value approach. The empirical study is based on quantitative survey data on cognitive styles and socio-demographic characteristics of the interviewees as well as their perception of public value created by a major Swiss financial institution.
Our analysis yields three major results: firstly, it confirms the significant influence of cognitive styles on the perception of public value. Hedgehogs tend to perceive public value more strongly than foxes. Secondly, the study confirms the three dimensions of public value: Institutional Performance, Moral Obligation and Political Stability. These have been identified in previous studies in a public sector environment. Our study demonstrates that the concept is also applicable in the private sector context. Thirdly, we show that the impact of cognitive style does not differ across these dimensions. This points to cognitive styles as different ways of processing new information and a corresponding difference in the intensity of value perception. This research helps to bridge the organizational macro view with the micro view of the individual by accounting for factors at the individual level in the context of an organization's public value. The results are of relevance not only to the academic community, but also to practitioners who may use these insights to align organizational strategies and value propositions.
Our analysis yields three major results: firstly, it confirms the significant influence of cognitive styles on the perception of public value. Hedgehogs tend to perceive public value more strongly than foxes. Secondly, the study confirms the three dimensions of public value: Institutional Performance, Moral Obligation and Political Stability. These have been identified in previous studies in a public sector environment. Our study demonstrates that the concept is also applicable in the private sector context. Thirdly, we show that the impact of cognitive style does not differ across these dimensions. This points to cognitive styles as different ways of processing new information and a corresponding difference in the intensity of value perception. This research helps to bridge the organizational macro view with the micro view of the individual by accounting for factors at the individual level in the context of an organization's public value. The results are of relevance not only to the academic community, but also to practitioners who may use these insights to align organizational strategies and value propositions.
Language
English
Keywords
Public Value
Cognitive Style
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Book title
Proceedings of the 2nd International OFEL Conference on Corporate Governance, Management and Entrepreneurship: Inside and Outside of Managerial Mind : Building the Bridges Between Disciplines
Publisher
CIRU - Governance Reasarch and Development Centre
Publisher place
Zagreb
Start page
47
End page
48
Pages
18
Event Title
2nd International OFEL Conference on Governance, Management and Entrepreneurship
Event Location
Dubrovnik
Event Date
04.-05.04.2014
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
237394