International Journal of Organizational Leadership

Abstract

Strategic thinking is a strategic capability that helps managers to understand their ability in predicting and controlling future events and distinguishing them. Meanwhile, instead of being placed under the influence of changes, they affect the changes. Organizational culture is a factor that can result in the development of strategic thinking in organizations. The basic purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of organizational culture on the development of strategic thinking at the organizational level of Ilam Gas Refinery. Previous studies mostly used individual models of strategic thinking, while the current study addressed indigenous model of strategic thinking at the organizational level. The research sample included 168 top and middle managers and experts who were selected through simple random sampling. To collect data, Cameron and Quinn’s (2006) organizational culture questionnaire and questionnaire of Golmmohammadi, Kafche, and Soltanoanah (2013) were used. Regression and structural equation came into use in data analysis and testing the research hypotheses. The results showed that organizational culture had a significant impact on the strategic thinking at the organizational level. Among the aspects of organizational culture, market’s culture was a better explanation for strategic thinking which had a significant positive effect on all aspects of strategic thinking.