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Shadows in the Spotlight: Navigating Organizational Transparency in Digital Contexts

Author

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  • Oana Brindusa Albu

    (Copenhagen Business School)

  • Lars Thøger Christensen

    (Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

This article examines the potential implications of pursuing organizational transparency ideals in contemporary datafied societies, i.e., societies where multiple aspects of social life take the shape of digital data. The article develops a communication perspective of transparency which is valuable because it not only considers transparency as a matter of providing and accessing information about already existing practices but conceptualizes transparency as a performative practice with the potential to shape subjects, relations, and forms of organizing. The article identifies common trends in extant research on transparency, discusses different ways of thinking about transparency, and examines their implications for organizational settings. Taken together, the article problematizes predominant tendencies that theorize transparency simply from an informational standpoint, (i.e., as information disclosure) and identifies key challenges specific to digitally driven transparency. The article ends by discussing some implications of digitally driven transparency practices and sketches future research directions for organizations that face transparency challenges in the current social contexts where data is abundant.

Suggested Citation

  • Oana Brindusa Albu & Lars Thøger Christensen, 2024. "Shadows in the Spotlight: Navigating Organizational Transparency in Digital Contexts," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 76(4), pages 641-659, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sjobre:v:76:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s41471-024-00190-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s41471-024-00190-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Palanski & Surinder Kahai & Francis Yammarino, 2011. "Team Virtues and Performance: An Examination of Transparency, Behavioral Integrity, and Trust," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 99(2), pages 201-216, March.
    2. Roberts, John, 2009. "No one is perfect: The limits of transparency and an ethic for 'intelligent' accountability," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 34(8), pages 957-970, November.
    3. Danielle Caled & Mário J. Silva, 2022. "Digital media and misinformation: An outlook on multidisciplinary strategies against manipulation," Journal of Computational Social Science, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 123-159, May.
    4. Paul M. Leonardi, 2014. "Social Media, Knowledge Sharing, and Innovation: Toward a Theory of Communication Visibility," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 25(4), pages 796-816, December.
    5. Michael Hogan & Adegboyega Ojo & Owen Harney & Erna Ruijer & Albert Meijer & Jerry Andriessen & Mirjam Pardijs & Paolo Boscolo & Elena Palmisano & Matteo Satta & Jonathan Groff & Michael Baker & Franç, 2017. "Governance, Transparency and the Collaborative Design of Open Data Collaboration Platforms: Understanding Barriers, Options, and Needs," Public Administration and Information Technology, in: Adegboyega Ojo & Jeremy Millard (ed.), Government 3.0 – Next Generation Government Technology Infrastructure and Services, pages 299-332, Springer.
    6. Donald MacKenzie, 2006. "An Engine, Not a Camera: How Financial Models Shape Markets," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262134608, December.
    7. Messner, Martin, 2009. "The limits of accountability," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 34(8), pages 918-938, November.
    8. Bernd W. Wirtz & Jan C. Weyerer & Marcel Becker & Wilhelm M. Müller, 2022. "Open government data: A systematic literature review of empirical research," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 2381-2404, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Georg Reischauer & Thomas Hess & Thorsten Sellhorn & Erik Theissen, 2024. "Transparency in an Age of Digitalization and Responsibility," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 76(4), pages 483-494, December.

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