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Volume 28, Issue 1 (Spring 2026)
Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2026, 28(1): 14-29 |
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Research code: 163529812817939065025162909971
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Karari Mozafari A, Soltani H. Study of transcranial direct current stimulation on improving strategic thinking in business managers in Kavar, Fars, Iran: A quasi-experimental design. Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2026; 28 (1) :14-29
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1814-en.html
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1814-en.html
1- Master of Business Administration student, Strategy Major, Faculty of Management, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
2- Associate Professor of Management Department, Faculty of Management, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
2- Associate Professor of Management Department, Faculty of Management, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract: (717 Views)
Introduction: Strategic thinking is a skill that managers most need. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of transcranial direct electrical stimulation (tDCS) on improving strategic thinking in business managers.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this study included business managers in Kavar City, Fars Province, Iran, from whom 30 people were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The Goldman Strategic Thinking Questionnaire and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) were used to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS software version 26.
Results: The findings from the analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference between the groups before and after receiving the intervention (P<0.05). The direct transcranial electrical stimulation intervention was effective on systemic thinking (P=0.004), future thinking (P=0.03), picture completion (P=0.04), number-spacing (P=0.04), cube design (P=0.001), and coding (P=0.001). Besides, no significant difference was observed between the scores of conceptual thinking, opportunism, image organization, arithmetic, and piece joining between the transcranial brain stimulation experimental group and the control group (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: This study’s results showed that direct transcranial electrical stimulation by increasing the activity of the left frontal cortex can be recommended as a method to increase the strategic thinking of managers. This method can be used in the design of cognitive interventions to improve the quality of managers’ decision-making.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this study included business managers in Kavar City, Fars Province, Iran, from whom 30 people were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The Goldman Strategic Thinking Questionnaire and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) were used to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS software version 26.
Results: The findings from the analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference between the groups before and after receiving the intervention (P<0.05). The direct transcranial electrical stimulation intervention was effective on systemic thinking (P=0.004), future thinking (P=0.03), picture completion (P=0.04), number-spacing (P=0.04), cube design (P=0.001), and coding (P=0.001). Besides, no significant difference was observed between the scores of conceptual thinking, opportunism, image organization, arithmetic, and piece joining between the transcranial brain stimulation experimental group and the control group (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: This study’s results showed that direct transcranial electrical stimulation by increasing the activity of the left frontal cortex can be recommended as a method to increase the strategic thinking of managers. This method can be used in the design of cognitive interventions to improve the quality of managers’ decision-making.
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2025/08/13 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/09/6
Received: 2025/08/13 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/09/6
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