Organizational identity: components and construction

Abstract

The objective of this research was to understand the identity construction process of the middle managers (MMs) of a Colombian multilatina. From the research question, i.e., what are the components involved in the identity construction process of MMs?, it was established that MMs are those individuals whose level in the organization is below top managers and above first-level supervisors. The theoretical framework used was organizational identity (OI). To this end, literature review focused on the discussion of research works whose epistemological basis considered OI as a process, not as an invariant or static element. The case study used a qualitative approach. Identity construction processes are made up of three categories: recognition, transcendence and security. The research was conducted under the case study method and targeted a relatively new organi­zation that is in an unfinished and immature process of adopting a specific OI. The components explain the process and make it possible to elucidate a new way of approaching it at the manage­ment level; at the same time, due to their clarity and understandability, they can be used for other studies, as well as for consultancies. Finally, the integration of concepts from the social sciences for conceptualization and analysis nourishes the dialog with the administrative field.