Löwstedt, M and Räisänen, C (2014) Social identity in construction: Enactments and outcomes. Construction Management and Economics, 32(11), pp. 1093-1105. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
A social identity lens and theories of self-reinforcement are used to explore identity work and processes of identification at the micro-level in a large construction company. Rich data from a qualitative case study show that a strong collective identification is self-defining for the vast majority of managers in the organization, regardless of their role and function. This collective identification revolved around the trade of 'being a construction worker', associated with the traits of being practically oriented and of having a long professional background in construction. This collective identification seems to reinforce itself by a combination of pulling and pushing movements and/or 'being blind' vis-à-vis those that stand outside its self-defining core, content, and behaviours. The results of the study suggest that self-defining at the individual and group levels has implications for organizational performance and outcomes. It is also suggested that the use of a social identity lens can help increase understanding of interpersonal relations, collaboration, and change initiatives in the construction industry.,
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | collective identification; identity self-reinforcement; social identity |
| Index terms: | collaboration, social identity, manager, movement, construction company, reinforcement, identity, organizational performance, construction industry, construction worker, case study |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, sociology, performance measurement, management, building materials, health behaviours and lifestyles, practitioner, data collection methods, organization |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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