| This dissertation investigates the relationship between individuals' prior functional and cultural experience and three indicators of information processing: information attended to, issue and action identification, and strategic issue interpretation. It is argued that functional and cultural experience influence individuals' cognitive base and values, and, thus, their information processing in ambiguous business decision situations. Particular attention is paid to the diversity of participants' experience in different functional areas and different ethnic cultures. The hypotheses were tested using a sample of sixty-seven graduate students at two North-American Master of Business Administration programs. Participants were asked to read and respond to an ambiguous business case study and given the opportunity to search for additional information, using an internet search engine. Findings show that neither functional nor cultural experience had the hypothesized effects on participants' information processing in this sample. Reasons for the lack of support for the hypotheses are explored and recommendations are developed for further research. |
