Cognitive styles and informal learning strategies in the workplace: the mediating role of intrinsic motivation

Abstract

This study analyses the relationship between cognitive styles and managers' informal learning strategies. Intrinsic motivation is considered to be a mediating variable between these two constructs. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate the relations in the research model. The hypotheses proposed in our research model were tested on a sample of 244 bank managers from all Brazilian regions. Results show that, from the three-dimensional model of cognitive styles, knowing cognitive style has a positive effect on both cognitive and behavioural learning strategies, whereas planning and creating cognitive styles have positive effects on behavioural learning strategies but they have non-significant effects on informal cognitive learning strategies. Intrinsic motivation mediates the relation between cognitive styles and informal learning strategies.