Strategic Leadership Communication in Business Ecosystems: Linguistic Strategies, Gender Dynamics, and Executive Attention to Innovation

Thesis Defence
Strategic Leadership Communication in Business Ecosystems: Linguistic Strategies, Gender Dynamics, and Executive Attention to Innovation

Urszula WISZNIOWSKA, PhD candidate in the Global Executive Ph.D., will publicly defend her thesis in Management Sciences.

16 September 2024
11.00 a.m. (CET - GMT+1)
ESCP Business School Paris Campus

Abstract

This dissertation explores the evolving role of strategic leadership communication within the context of business ecosystems, which have become central to modern business strategy in the digital era. It investigates how leaders navigate the complex dynamics of these ecosystems, how executive communication reflects and drives strategic priorities such as innovation, and how gender influences leadership effectiveness in high-tech sectors.

The first article lays the theoretical foundation for understanding how strategic leaders in business ecosystems use linguistic strategies of convergence and divergence to manage their ecosystems effectively. Building on upper echelons theory and the attention-based view, it introduces the concept of communication accommodation, highlighting how leaders can use these strategies to maintain attention coherence among ecosystem participants. This interdisciplinary framework provides both theoretical and practical insights, guiding future research and offering strategic leaders the tools needed to navigate the complexities of platform ecosystems.

The second article focuses on the shifting dynamics of TMT communication between traditional pipeline firms and platform ecosystems, particularly in the context of executive attention to innovation. The empirical findings reveal that platform ecosystem leaders employ more inclusive and confident language, reflecting a collective approach to innovation. However, this comes at the cost of reduced authenticity, suggesting a tension between maintaining genuineness and driving innovation. The study offers valuable insights into how communication styles differ between organizational models and the implications for strategic leadership in the digital age.

The third article addresses the underrepresentation of women in top management roles, particularly within the tech sector. Through a linguistic analysis of earnings call transcripts, the study examines how female executives balance assertiveness and authenticity in their communication. It finds that female leaders are perceived as more authentic when employing communal assertiveness, but that highly assertive language can undermine this perception. The research also highlights similar challenges faced by male leaders when their communication deviates from traditional gender norms. This article advances the understanding of gender dynamics in leadership, offering a more inclusive perspective on leadership qualities beyond entrenched stereotypes.

Together, this dissertation provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of strategic leadership communication in business ecosystems. It offers valuable insights into how leaders can manage the complexities of these environments, foster innovation, and address the challenges posed by gender dynamics, thereby contributing significantly to the literature on strategic leadership, executive communication, and gender studies in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Jury