STRATEGIC THINKING AND EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the correlation between strategic thinking and efficient decision-making in the telecommunications sector in Rivers State, Nigeria. The capacity of managers in the Telecommunication industry to foresee dangers, recognize opportunities, consider alternative options and make effective decisions that will optimize immediate benefits and provide long-term competitive advantage is believed to have hampered their services, and this has resulted to delving into this research in order to provide possible solutions. As a consequence, two research hypotheses were formulated in their null forms. A comprehensive census survey approach was used, including 150 participants and using primary source, and a quasi- experimental research approach was adopted. The data were gathered using structured copies of the questionnaire and analysed using Spearman's Rank Order Correlation Coefficients (rho) in SPSS Version 21. The results demonstrated a statistically significant, albeit minor, positive correlation between strategic thinking and successful decision-making. More precisely, there is a positive relationship between cognitive thinking and successful decision-making, with a correlation value of 0.190. Similarly, creative thinking also has a positive association with effective decision-making, with a correlation coefficient of 0.452. The research highlighted the significance of incorporating strategic thinking into leadership development programmes in order to improve the quality of decision-making and satisfaction of stakeholders. The recommendation is for telecoms companies to include strategic thinking modules in their training programmes and cultivate an atmosphere that promotes new ideas.