Leader Identification and Disidentification: Constructs, Measurements, and Nomological Network

Abstract

Over several decades, identification has emerged as a significant topic in organizational research, with most studies’ concentrating on organizational identification and disidentification. Nevertheless, interpersonal interaction is a more direct experience for individuals and, as such, a topic worthy of investigation. Leader identification and disidentification are common themes in the organizational field, but there is limited research on identification in terms of dyadic relationships. To bridge this theoretical gap, this research addresses three important theoretical issues of leader identification and disidentification. First, this research clarifies the definition and contents of leader identification and disidentification. Second, based on theoretical definitions, this research develops a leader identification and disidentification scale. Third, this research confirms the psychometric properties and nomological network of a leader identification and disidentification scale. Finally, this research concludes with the theoretical and empirical implications as well as directions for future research.