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The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive motivation mechanism of university students. The university sample size was 136 (F=63.2% and M=36.8%). Motivation was explored via an expectancy value theory conceptualization utilizing the belief system, consisting of perceived competency and perceived probability of success. Next, examined was the need for achievement and goal setting mediated by the belief system variables on task intensity, a measure of level of involvement or motivation. A two-stage analysis was conducted. First, a measurement model was created through factor analysis. A structural model was developed which described the process of motivation. Result indicate that females tends to be driven by need for achievement and goals; whereas, males tend to be driven by a perceived competence in the task. Notwithstanding this sub process, perceived competence predicts a need for achievement, which then influences goal formulation and, ultimately, task intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research points to firms' strategic flexibility as the ability to adapt quickly to environment changes, and in particular to the role of CEOs in either enhancing or inhibiting firms' strategic flexibility. This paper treats strategic flexibility at the level of the individual decision-maker. It develops theory on how decision-makers, and CEOs in particular, learn to become more flexible over time and the specific roles of the organizational context in that process. Drawing from motivated reasoning insights, this paper outlines four cognitive motivational states (absolutist misers, absolutist tacticians, diverse misers, diverse tacticians), as well as organizational context-related moderators - top management team functional background diversity and shareholder activism -, in order to explain when and how decision- makers learn to develop greater strategic flexibility through repeated engagement in reflective reasoning. Contributions to research concerned with upper echelons and adaptive managerial cognition are intended to be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]