Evaluating The Level of Strategic Thinking Among Administrative Employees in the Banking Sector A Field Study in Traditional Private Bank Branches in Lattakia Governorate

Abstract

The research aimed to determine the level of strategic thinking among administrative staff in traditional private bank branches in Lattakia Governorate, specifically focusing on its dimensions: comprehensiveness of thinking, timely thinking, hypothesis orientation, and strategic intent.

A descriptive analytical research methodology was employed, with the research population comprising all administrative staff in traditional private bank branches in Lattakia Governorate, totaling 76 individuals. A questionnaire was distributed to all members of the population, resulting in a response rate of 89.47%.

The research relied on the questionnaire as a tool for collecting information, as it was designed by the researcher after reviewing the different concepts of strategic thinking and its dimensions, then verifying its validity and reliability.

The results indicated that the level of strategic thinking among administrative staff in traditional private bank branches in Lattakia Governorate was at a moderate level, with a relative importance of 67.4%. Regarding the sub-dimensions, the results were ranked as follows in descending order: strategic intent, hypothesis orientation, comprehensiveness of thinking, and timely thinking.

The research recommends that employees should be trained on strategic thinking tools and methods such as SWOT, PESTEL, and value chain to analyze the bank’s internal and external environment, and to use techniques such as brainstorming and the six hats technique to stimulate creativity and generate new ideas.