The Vision Integration Process: Applying Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Leader-Follower Communications
Document Type
Article
Department
Behavioral and Organizational Sciences (CGU), Drucker School of Management (CGU)
Publication Date
2013
Disciplines
Leadership Studies
Abstract
Involving followers in the communication of a new vision can be critical to its ultimate adoption. Viewing vision as a relatively novel guiding framework that may or may not “diffuse” throughout an organization, we apply Roger’s (2003) Diffusion of Innovationsmodel to the visioning process. Employees from a large supermarket chain (n = 1481) completed surveys concerning vision knowledge, perceptions of the vision’s innovation characteristics (i.e. relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, and complexity), bidirectional leader–follower communication about the vision, perceived integration of the vision into work behaviors, and organizational commitment. Perceptions of the innovation characteristics of the vision were related to both vision integration and commitment. Based on our findings, we argue that a new vision can be conceptualized as an innovation, in which followers are actively involved in decisions of adoption or rejection. We advocate a more balanced approach to vision integration that highlights both leader and follower roles.
Rights Information
© 2013 SAGE Publications
DOI
10.1177/1742715012459784
Recommended Citation
Kohles, J. C., Bligh, M. C., & Carsten, M. K. (2013). The Vision Integration Process: Applying Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Leader-Follower Communications. Leadership, 9(4), 466-485