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More than a Metaphor: Organizational Identity Makes Organizational Life Possible

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Haslam, S. Alexander, Postmes, Tom, Ellemers, Naomi·2003·British Journal of Management

Abstract

Recent papers by Cornelissen (2002a, 2002b) and Gioia, Schultz and Corley (2002a, 2002b) have debated the utility of organizational identity as a metaphor for understanding organizational life. In the present paper we argue that this debate is limiting because it frames issues of organizational identity purely in metaphorical terms and fails to explore the social psychological basis and consequences of the discontinuity between personal and organizational identity. Extending this debate, we argue that the power of organizational identity as a theoretical and applied construct derives from the fact that it has the capacity to be both an externally shared and negotiated product and an internalized aspect of the collective self. Consistent with recent research informed by the social identity approach to organizational psychology, we discuss how an appreciation of the identity-based dynamic between the social facts of organizations and the socially-structured psychology of organizational members is essential for both theoretical and practical understanding of organizational life.

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Metadata

Authors
Haslam, S. A., Postmes, T., & Ellemers, N.
Venue
British Journal of Management
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2003-11-27
Volume
14
Issue
4
Pages
357-369
ISSN
  • 1045-3172 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-8551
OpenAlex
W2025703896
Cited by
345
References
5
FWCI
20.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
bronze

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Haslam, S. A., Postmes, T., & Ellemers, N. (2003). More than a Metaphor: Organizational Identity Makes Organizational Life Possible. British Journal of Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2003.00384.x

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