LEADERSHIP CONCERNS: DISCURSIVE FRAMING WITHIN THE DISENGAGEMENT/GROWTH PHASE OF A SMALL BUSINESS

Abstract

Small businesses are an integral part of the U.S. workforce. Leaders of small businesses are often presented with opportunities to communicate the changes and transitions that occur as a small business grows. This research assesses the process of leader sensegiving and employee sensemaking through the use of framing as a discursive resource within the context of a small business. A qualitative approach, capturing 27 in-depth interviews assesses the framing-to-sensemaking overlap in a small business setting. Results indicate that framing and sensemaking unfold as a process: either as a harmonious framing-to-sensemaking outcome or a discordant framing-to-sensemaking outcome.