Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics
Effective board performance relies heavily on the smooth exchange of information and knowledge among members. However, the sociocognitive processes surrounding these information exchanges within boards, known as board dynamics, are often treated as a black box in corporate governance research. With...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Communication |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1347271/full |
| _version_ | 1797244879006334976 |
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| author | Marilieke Engbers Svetlana N. Khapova Erik van de Loo |
| author_facet | Marilieke Engbers Svetlana N. Khapova Erik van de Loo |
| author_sort | Marilieke Engbers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Effective board performance relies heavily on the smooth exchange of information and knowledge among members. However, the sociocognitive processes surrounding these information exchanges within boards, known as board dynamics, are often treated as a black box in corporate governance research. With the goal of advancing the understanding of communication-centered board dynamics, this paper develops a theoretical model of unsaid known in the boardroom. Drawing on the communication, psycho-dynamics, and governance literature, we theorize how board members jointly make sense through what they think and say and not say and offer propositions. We discern between the implicit theories of senders and listeners, shaping decision-making. Our conceptual model suggests that heightened collective awareness among board members regarding communication incongruences can improve decision-making. Addressing these discrepancies can enhance boards’ capacity for informed decision-making and optimize outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:18:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f2ce4eedc2a5404bb6a27b3daeff884b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-900X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:18:01Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Communication |
| spelling | doaj.art-f2ce4eedc2a5404bb6a27b3daeff884b2024-03-26T04:28:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Communication2297-900X2024-03-01910.3389/fcomm.2024.13472711347271Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamicsMarilieke Engbers0Svetlana N. Khapova1Erik van de Loo2Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsVrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsInstitut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD), Sorbonne Universités, Fontainebleau, FranceEffective board performance relies heavily on the smooth exchange of information and knowledge among members. However, the sociocognitive processes surrounding these information exchanges within boards, known as board dynamics, are often treated as a black box in corporate governance research. With the goal of advancing the understanding of communication-centered board dynamics, this paper develops a theoretical model of unsaid known in the boardroom. Drawing on the communication, psycho-dynamics, and governance literature, we theorize how board members jointly make sense through what they think and say and not say and offer propositions. We discern between the implicit theories of senders and listeners, shaping decision-making. Our conceptual model suggests that heightened collective awareness among board members regarding communication incongruences can improve decision-making. Addressing these discrepancies can enhance boards’ capacity for informed decision-making and optimize outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1347271/fullboardsleadershipcommunicationjoint sensemakingcorporate governancetheory-building |
| spellingShingle | Marilieke Engbers Svetlana N. Khapova Erik van de Loo Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics Frontiers in Communication boards leadership communication joint sensemaking corporate governance theory-building |
| title | Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics |
| title_full | Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics |
| title_fullStr | Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics |
| title_short | Unsaid known in the boardroom: theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics |
| title_sort | unsaid known in the boardroom theorizing unspoken assessments of behavioral board dynamics |
| topic | boards leadership communication joint sensemaking corporate governance theory-building |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1347271/full |
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