Top managers' communication efforts as response to tensions in product innovation: an attention-based view
ISSN: 1746-5265
Article publication date: 7 September 2021
Issue publication date: 31 December 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to map different kinds of tensions in product innovation and investigate how top managers use communication to shape subordinates' attention and thereby respond to these tensions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an embedded case study of four innovation centers within a Nordic multinational firm.
Findings
This study identifies three kinds of tensions that reside in product innovation, namely dilemma, paradox and trade-off. Further, this study reveals how joint attention (among top managers and subordinates) as a response to tensions can be achieved through different aggregates of top managers' communication efforts.
Originality/value
In opening the black box of tensions in product innovation and identifying multiple tensions, this study contributes to advancing the understanding of the attention-based view. Different from previous studies that simply consider communication as channels for information processing, the findings indicate that the contents and practices of communication can help top managers to shape subordinates' attention and thereby respond to tensions. This study also extends the research focus of attention from top managers to the whole organization, by revealing the importance of building a joint pattern of attention among top managers and subordinates.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
These two authors contributed equally. This study was sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant number 71802038].
Citation
Pan Fagerlin, W. and Wang, Y. (2021), "Top managers' communication efforts as response to tensions in product innovation: an attention-based view", Baltic Journal of Management, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 21-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-01-2020-0024
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited