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Evaluating linear-nonlinear thinking style for knowledge management education

Author

Listed:
  • Constantin Bratianu

    (Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest)

  • Simona Vasilache

    (Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a new perspective of the linear-nonlinear thinking style and its critical role in knowledge management education. Previous works in this field identified linear thinking as being rational, logic and analytic, and nonlinear thinking as being based on intuition, insight and creativity. In this perspective, linear thinking is related mostly with cognitive intelligence, while nonlinear thinking is related mostly with emotional intelligence. These interpretations have a slight connection with the generic concepts of linearity and linear spaces developed in science. Our research changed the cognitiveemotional perspective into a new one based on the fundamental properties of linear spaces, as they are defined in Mathematics. Basically, a linear model is characterized from operational point of view by a linear equation. That means that outputs of this model should be proportional with inputs. For instance, the temperature level indicated by a familiar thermometer is proportional with the mercury dilation. If the operational model is based on a nonlinear equation, then the model is nonlinear. Thus, cognitive thinking can be linear or nonlinear, while emotional thinking is by its nature nonlinear. Based on this new theoretical construct we developed an investigation instrument to measure the linear-nonlinear thinking style, and applied it to our students in master programs of business administration where there is an important module of knowledge management and learning organizations. The initial sample consisted of 500 graduate students in attending courses in master programs at the Faculty of Business Administration, Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, the most important and best considered university for economics and business in Romania. The questionnaire contains 50 items, with answers evaluated on a Likert-type scale. Using the STATA program we performed various analyses, and interpreted the final results in connection with the educational curricula at the Bachelor and Master levels. Conclusions show a dominant role of the linear thinking style, which might constitute o severe limitation in knowledge management and business decision making process.

Suggested Citation

  • Constantin Bratianu & Simona Vasilache, 2009. "Evaluating linear-nonlinear thinking style for knowledge management education," Management & Marketing, Economic Publishing House, vol. 4(3), Autumn.
    • Handle: RePEc:eph:journl:v:4:y:2009:i:3:n:1
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Adrian D. Tanţău & Nicolae Al. Pop & Daniela Hîncu & Laurenţiu Frăţilă, 2011. "The Positioning of Universities in Collaborative Models as Clusters in a Knowledge Based Economy," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 13(30), pages 555-564, June.
    2. Adrian Motoc, 2023. "Family businesses SMEs through Covid-19 Crisis Management," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 17(3), pages 121-121, February.
    3. Bratianu Constantin & Stanescu Dan Florin & Mocanu Rares, 2021. "The mediation role of knowledge management between academic management and business education," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 102-112, December.
    4. Staneiu Roxana-Maria, 2022. "Psychological Safety as a catalyst for Knowledge Sharing," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 16(1), pages 98-108, August.
    5. Ruxandra Bejinaru, 2022. "Cluster Analysis Of Risks And Vulnerabilities For Environment Sustainable Management," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 7(2), pages 35-48, Septembri.
    6. Andreea Bianca CAMARA, 2022. "Knowledge dynamics for smart leaders and smart cities," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, vol. 10, pages 247-262, November.
    7. Jinhyo Joseph Yun & Zheng Liu & Euiseob Jeong & Sangwoo Kim & Kyunghun Kim, 2022. "The Difference in Open Innovation between Open Access and Closed Access, According to the Change of Collective Intelligence and Knowledge Amount," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, February.
    8. Constantin BRATIANU & Dan PAIUC, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Cultural Intelligence and Multicultural Leadership," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 23(3), pages 319-337, July.
    9. Ursache Vlad-Mihai, 2022. "Cybersecurity challenges in the knowledge economy," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 16(1), pages 121-129, August.
    10. Constantin BRATIANU, 2017. "The Knowledge Economy: The Present Future," Management Dynamics in the Knowledge Economy, College of Management, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, vol. 5(4), pages 477-479, December.
    11. Petrica Stoica & Ovidiu Leonard Turcu, 2013. "Knowledge Management In A Company," Studies and Scientific Researches. Economics Edition, "Vasile Alecsandri" University of Bacau, Faculty of Economic Sciences, issue 18.
    12. Andreea Feraru, 2013. "Features Of The Intellectual Capital Within Romanian Smes," Studies and Scientific Researches. Economics Edition, "Vasile Alecsandri" University of Bacau, Faculty of Economic Sciences, issue 18.

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