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European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science ISSN: 2501 - 1235 ISSN-L: 2501 - 1235 Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu doi: 10.5281/zenodo.884536 Volume 3 │ Issue 10 │ 2017 THE EFFECT OF COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY OF ATHLETES ON PERSON-ORGANIZATION Mehmet Dalkılıçi, Kilis 7 Aralık University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Turkey Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effect of cognitive flexibility of athletes on Person-Organization Fit. With this, it was aimed to determine the levels of cognitive flexibility and Person-Organization Fit of athletes and to show their differences according to their descriptive characteristics. This research was restricted to amateur soccer players and the athletes who played in amateur football teams in Kilis, Niğde, Karaman and Konya. A total of 269 athletes were given a personal information form, a cognitive flexibility scale and a Person-Organization Fit scale. It has been determined that cognitive flexibility in work is a determinant of individual organizational alignment. When the cognitive flexibility sub-dimensions are examined, it is determined that the ability to control cannot be related to the individual organization fit, and that the alternative solution making team influences the individual's organization fit. Also in the study, cognitive flexibility and Person-Organization Fit did not differ according to the descriptive characteristics of the athletes, and the result was that the athletes were at similar level. Keywords: amateur football players, cognitive flexibility, person-organization fit, athlete 1. Introduction Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability of a person to front alternative choices in any situation and to adapt to new situations (Martin and Anderson, 1998:1-9). Cognitive flexibility is also a basis for cognitive awareness concept (Martin and Rubin, 1995:623- Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved. © 2015 – 2017 Open Access Publishing Group 61 Mehmet Dalkılıç THE EFFECT OF COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY OF ATHLETES ON PERSON-ORGANIZATION 626). Martin and Anderson (2001:69-76) expressed that people with high cognitive flexibility are in advance on formulating strategy. People with high cognitive flexibility are aware of the options, they can create ideas and opinions and they can adapt to new situations (Altunkol, 2011:1-80). In society, people face many problems, and they solve these problems via their learned abilities and cognitive mentality. Stevens (2009) stated that having high cognitive flexibility considerably increases the problem solving ability. Person-organization fit is defined as harmony is defined as the degree of similarity and similarity between person and organization values (Mitchell, 2006:26). Studies about person-organization have passed psychological science by the management. Since 1950s, harmony theories have been started to taken into consideration in topics such as job, job selection, organizational environment (Xiaojun ve Shizong, 2010:120). Person-organization fit is known as one of the most popular topics investigated in the fields of management and organizational behavior. Person-organization fit includes the appropriateness of organizational qualities (goals, resources, values) and qualifications (targets, abilities, values) of individuals. The harmony between person and organization is gained through complementary and supplementary methods. Complementarity harmony is achieved when person and organization add characteristic features that are missing to complement one another. Supplementary harmony emerges at times when personality and organization characteristics are similar. Harmony in from the point of complementary is gained by organizations attracting people with similar values and targets. Complementarity harmony is achieved through satisfaction of the specific needs of the persons through the duties and resources provided by the organizations. The literature proves that personorganization fit is positively influenced by employee attitudes and behaviors. In this context, it is possible to say that the search for harmony between the organization and the employee makes the employees more satisfied and productive (Bright, 2007). It is noteworthy that cognitive flexibility and person-organization alignment are not related in the literature. For downloading the full article, please access the following link: https://oapub.org/edu/index.php/ejep/article/view/1009 European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 10 │ 2017 62