Organizational identity

Organizational identity is a field of study in organizational theory, that seeks the answer to the question: "who are we as an organization?"[1][2] The concept was first defined by Albert and Whetten (1985) and later updated and clarified by Whetten (2006),

According to Whetten (2006) the attributes of an organizational identity are central, enduring, and distinctive/distinguishing (CED).

  • Central attributes are ones that have changed the history of the company; if these attribute were missing, the history of the organization would have been different.
  • Enduring attributes are ones deeply ingrained in the organization, often explicitly considered sacrosanct or embedded in the organizational history.
  • Distinguishing attributes are ones used by the organization to separate itself from other similar organizations, but can also set minimum standards and norms for that type of organization.

An attribute of a company must satisfy all three of these requirements in order to be considered an organizational identity.

Organizational identity often attempts to apply sociological and psychological concepts and theories about identity to organizations.[3] As a research topic, organizational identity is related to but clearly separate from organizational culture and organizational image (Hatch and Schultz, 1997).[4] It assumes a larger perspective than work identity (the identity individuals assume when in a work-related context) and organizational behavior (the study of human behavior in organizational settings).[5]

  1. ^ Albert, S.; Whetten, D. A. (1985). "Organizational identity". Research in Organizational Behavior. 7: 263–295.
  2. ^ Whetten, D. A. (2006). "Albert and Whetten Revisited: Strengthening the Concept of Organizational Identity". Journal of Management Inquiry. 15 (3): 219–234. doi:10.1177/1056492606291200. S2CID 145744564.
  3. ^ Albert, Stuart; Whetten, David A. (January 1985). "Organizational Identity". Research in Organizational Behavior. 7: 263–293.
  4. ^ M. J. Hatch and M. Schultz. "Relations between organizational culture, identity and image." European Journal of Marketing, 31(5/6):356–365, 1997
  5. ^ Afshari, Leila; Young, Suzanne; Gibson, Paul; Karimi, Leila (2020). "Organizational commitment: exploring the role of identity". Personnel Review. 49 (3). Emerald Insight: 774–790. doi:10.1108/PR-04-2019-0148. S2CID 210553616. Retrieved 3 April 2023.