The Role of Managerial and Organizational Intelligences

Abstract

Organizational intelligence and inefficacy set limits to the capabilities of achieving high levels of performance in organizations. Managerial and organizational cognition emerge from organizational intelligences. In this paper we aim at providing theoretical foundations for understanding how managerial cognition in turn can have either a positive or a negative influence on the intelligences and by that can promote or constrain performance. Within the theory of organizational coherence and trajectory the concepts of managerial and organizational intelligence constitute a theoretical counterpoise to the literature on management paradox. What numerous management scholars call ‘a paradox’ and understand as ‘a simultaneous existence of two inconsistent states’ is the normal state of a well-functioning organization, reflecting a necessary and indispensable constituting element of the organization as a viable system. The paper is part of a theory-building endeavor. Parts of the model and a comprehensive questionnaire (OCT-NP Instrument 2013) were empirically tested.