A research to understand the effect of managers' personal values on strategic decision making in the context of Upper Echelon Theory

Upper echelon theory deals with the effects of managerial characteristics on strategic choices. Upper echelon theory positions the managers as actors who influence the strategic choices and according to the upper echelon theory, strategic choices are a reflection of managerial characteristics. In this study, personal values, one of the mentioned managerial characteristics, are discussed. It is aimed to understand how personal values affect strategic decisions and the strategic decision making process and the role of managerial discretion. Within the scope of the research, interviews were conducted with top-level managers working in technology enterprises and the data obtained were analyzed using the inductive content method. Research findings show that managers make strategic decisions in the context of their personal values, they care about the role of their personal values in guiding strategic decisions, but on the other hand they make an effort to carry out the strategic decision-making process rationally and comprehensively. At the same time, it has been understood that managers see their managerial discretion as an opportunity to reflect their personal values in strategic choices. It is thought that the findings will contributive to the strategic decision-making process of managers in a sector with a wide managerial discretion. It is thought that the findings will contribute to the behavioral strategy and upper echelon theory literature.