Sweeping Innovation and its Impact on Relational Ties

Abstract

The research aims to reveal the relationship and impact between metacognitive thinking through its dimensions (planning, monitoring and control, evaluation) and soft skills through their dimensions (communication with others, self-development, use of cognitive skills, self-control, effective decision-making, dealing with differences and contradictions, and handling criticism and difficult situations). Identification of the research problem involved a set of questions that examined the nature of the relationship and effect of the study variables. Based on this, a hypothetical research model was developed, which states two major hypotheses. These hypotheses were put to the test a number of times in order to determine their legitimacy. The data collection tool used was the questionnaire and the study followed a descriptive-analytical research methodology.

The study sample included 323 leaders and subordinates who were selected in ten private schools found in the Al-Najaf Governorate. Out of 372 respondents that are the total research population, 188 respondents were chosen at random to collect data. Subsequently, the interpretation of the obtained data was performed using a combination of statistical methods, namely, the tau correlation coefficient of Kendall, simple and multiple determination coefficients. All the statistical calculations were done with SPSS version 23.

The research has made several findings among which the most important is that metacognitive thinking is the ability of an individual to externalize awareness and cognitive abilities into observing, altering and controlling cognitive processes in relation to learning competencies, experiential knowledge and creative imagination. Such ability enables individuals to operate in terms of knowledge-based frameworks that are founded on experience and, therefore, provide the capacity to address organizational challenges and issues.

Therefore, people can present their ideas in a convincing and unique manner, which utilizes leadership skills, activity, and interaction with clients when delivering educational services.

Among the major recommendations is that the organization in question needs to design a concise and explicit vision relating to the components of metacognitive thinking, as this construct is the highest stage of the cognitive processing, and individuals need to plan, observe, and analyze their strategic choices and mental activities constantly. Specific focus is to be put on the self-monitoring and the way people use metacognitive processes when performing work duties, thus contributing to the organizational success and maintaining competitiveness through the use of complex competencies and expert knowledge in a competitive environment.