Figure 5
The framework shows three main sections arranged horizontally, with additional external and internal environment boxes above and below. On the far left, a text box labeled “Control and Influence” connects with a rightward arrow to a large central box labeled “Mechanisms”, which contains a vertically arranged bulleted list including “Selective communication”, “Dual signaling approach”, “Discursive strategies (for example: contradictory statements)”, “Non-discursive actions (for example: targeted violence)”, “Protective silence”, “Obfuscation”, “Contradictory narratives”, “Informal signals”, “Creation of new meanings”, and “Discursive embedding”. A rightward arrow emerges from the “Mechanisms” box and points to another large box on the right labeled “Outcomes”, which contains two bulleted lists. The list titled “Short term” includes “Enhanced flexibility”, “Temporary alignment”, “Avoidance of conflict”, “Preserved exclusivity”, and “Increased operational longevity”. The list titled “Long term” includes “Coordination failures”, “Erosion of trust”, “Increased resistance”, “Psychological effects (stress, resentment)”, “Decline in public support”, and “Loss of protective narrative”. Above these boxes, a large dashed rectangular box labeled “External environment” contains a bulleted list including “Cultural context (hierarchical culture: plus sign; egalitarian culture: minus sign)”, “Stakeholder expectations (low expectations for transparency: plus sign; high expectations for transparency: minus sign)”, “State pressure (low pressure: plus sign; high pressure: minus sign)”, “Public awareness (low awareness: plus sign; high awareness: minus sign)”, “Legal reforms (minimal regulation: plus sign; strict regulation: minus sign)”, and “Media exposure (limited exposure: plus sign; extensive exposure: minus sign)”. A downward arrow from the external environment connects to the arrow linking the “Mechanisms” box and the “Outcomes” box. Below the main structure, another dashed rectangular box labeled “Internal environment” contains bullet points including “Power struggles (high: plus sign; low: minus sign)”, “Internal divisions (strong: plus sign; weak: minus sign)”, “Managerial discretion (high discretion: plus sign; low discretion: minus sign)”, “Organizational culture (ambiguity-tolerant: plus sign; transparency-oriented: minus sign)”, “Need for secrecy (high secrecy: plus sign; low secrecy: minus sign)”, “Dual involvement in legal and illegal activities (present: plus sign; absent: minus sign)”, and “Balancing exclusivity and inclusivity (necessity to balance: plus sign; clear differentiation: minus sign)”. An upward arrow from the internal environment connects to the arrow linking the “Mechanisms” box and the “Outcomes” box.Strategic ambiguity aimed at control and influence