Issues of Identity in Collaborations Among Creative Professionals: A Study of Toy Designers

Abstract

Drawing on a four-year, qualitative study of toy designers in a large U.S. corporation, we examined the relationship between professional identity and informal collaboration among creative workers. Our findings revealed that toy designers' professional identities were defined primarily by person-based (vs. role-based) categorizations and that only a minority of designers' identities resembled stereotypes of creative artists. Further, our findings showed how informal idea giving and idea taking behaviors affirmed or threatened distinct identity categorizations of toy designers. In general, idea taking behaviors were more threatening than idea giving to these designers' professional identities, and designers often refused to collaborate as a response to identity threats. We discuss the implications of these findings for theories of collaboration and professional identity and offer an extended framework of professional identity management.