Quantitative Classification of Cognitive Behaviors for Industrial Projects' Managers in the MENA Region

One of the main challenges existing in the adoption of the artificial intelligence in recruitment and selection and talent acquisition is the ability to codify a unified number of features to recruit the style of project managers that can fit with the job post as well as the strength of the project. This paper is a deductive design using quantitative methodology by applying a monomethod of surveying more than 400 project managers in the MENA area. Our aim in this research is to classify the cognitive behavior of project managers in the MENA region quantitatively to be able to use this classification for a better recruitment result using the AI tools. The philosophy of the research is a realism one and the MENA region is chosen due to its increasing need to plan and implement developing projects. The conclusion of this study reveals the existence of four basic project manager's cognitive behavioral styles: the innovative, risk-averse, specialized, and experiential styles. The reliability of the measurement is tested by Cronbach 'alpha and the classification of items of the survey is implemented using the EFA & CFA. This research is adding a new generalized tool for measuring the knowledge creation style of project managers to enable talent acquisition seekers to have a more valuable adoption of AI in the process of recruitment and selection for different small and medium sized projects. Keywords: Cognitive Behavior; Knowledge Creation; Project Management; AI.