Enhancing Strategic Thinking in Isfahan Sports Managers: A Comparative Study of Developmental Assessment Centers Versus Bloom's Cognitive Model-Based Training

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two approaches—Developmental Assessment Centers and a training program based on Bloom's cognitive model—in enhancing strategic thinking among sports managers in Isfahan. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with 36 managers from the Isfahan Sports and Youth Department purposively selected based on guidelines by Murphy & Myors (1999). The interventions included simulation exercises such as in-basket simulations, leaderless group discussions, case studies, and oral presentations. Strategic thinking outcomes were measured using the Philip & Patricia (2001) questionnaire. Data analysis via ANCOVA revealed no significant differences between the dimension-based assessment center, task-based assessment center, and Bloom's cognitive model-based training in improving strategic thinking (p > 0.05). However, Cohen's effect size analysis highlighted that the task-based assessment center had the most substantial impact on enhancing strategic thinking (d = 1.54), followed closely by the training based on Bloom's cognitive model (d = 1.50), and lastly by the dimension-based assessment center (d = 1.43). These findings suggest that while all three approaches are effective, the task-based assessment center is slightly more effective than the other methods. Therefore, the study recommends prioritizing task-based assessment centers in organizational training programs to better develop strategic thinking skills among sports managers, offering a more nuanced and impactful approach to addressing complex strategic challenges.