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An Overview of - Dreams Within a Dream: Multiple Visions and Organizational Structure

Writer's picture: Leading Through StaffLeading Through Staff

Updated: Jan 29

Written by Authors: Alex C. Lewis and Jonathan R. Clark and published in 2020 in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, this research examines the dynamics of vision articulation and implementation across organizational hierarchies, with particular emphasis on the manifestation of suborganizational visions within complex institutional structures.



The investigation yields several significant findings:

  1. Structural dimensionality demonstrates dual influences:

    • Vertical hierarchical distance manifests as a moderating variable in vision transmission

    • Horizontal organizational distance from core operations correlates with vision differentiation

  2. Peripheral organizational units exhibit a tendency toward vision decoupling, developing distinct strategic narratives that diverge from the central organizational vision while maintaining institutional coherence.

  3. The research identifies specific organizational mechanisms that facilitate:

    • Vertical vision integration through hierarchical nesting patterns

    • Horizontal vision complementarity across operational units

  4. The findings illuminate the critical role of institutional frameworks in both:

    • Providing substantive content for suborganizational vision development

    • Ensuring strategic alignment among diverse organizational components


This study makes a significant contribution to our understanding of vision propagation and adaptation within complex organizational structures, while illuminating the mechanisms that maintain strategic coherence across diverse operational units.


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