The formation of high strategic thinking ability: a study of Chinese grassroots cadres

Purpose The purpose of the research is to identify the factors contributing to the formation of high-level strategic thinking ability (STA) of Chinese grassroots cadres. Design/methodology/approach Through in-depth interviews with 20 Chinese grassroots cadres with high-level STA and grounded theory method, this research explores the contributive factors for the formation of the grassroots cadres' STA from a dynamic and long-term perspective. Findings The formation of STA is an accumulative process based on the interaction between external factors, including wide space for activities, adequate supporting resources, demonstration of role model, and inflection point and internal drivers, including strong sense of self-actualization, high sense of responsibility, thinking enhancement skills, diverse knowledge and high openness. Moreover, the external factors play a more important role in shaping STA in the early growth stage of the grassroots cadres, while in the late stage the internal factors tend to dominate. Practical implications The study advises to offer more professional training on STA and take STA as an important factor for Chinese grassroots cadres to compete in a complex socio-political environment in the long term. Originality/value (1) This paper investigates into the STA of Chinese grassroots cadres, which are largely ignored in current literature; (2) different from the extant studies which studies the static influencing factors of STA, such as demographic variables, personal traits and organizational characteristics, this paper focuses on the dynamic and long-term factors during the growth of the cadres.

Automated summary

The study identifies that the formation of STA in Chinese grassroots cadres is an accumulative process influenced by both external factors (such as wide space for activities, adequate supporting resources, demonstration of role model, inflection point) and internal drivers (such as strong sense of self-actualization, high sense of responsibility, thinking enhancement skills, diverse knowledge and high openness). The research recommends providing professional training on STA for grassroots cadres and considering STA as a crucial factor for their long-term competitiveness in a complex socio-political environment.