The Impact of Narrative Alignment on Identification Trajectories in Organizations

Abstract

We examine and present theory related to the narrative processes that influence organizational identification over time and the associated behavioral outcomes. Specifically, we conceptualize how formal identity stewards espouse organizational identity (OI) narratives that influence the personalized OI narratives that organizational members create. We also elucidate the concept of narrative alignment between the organization’s espoused OI narrative and a member’s personalized OI narrative and develop theory about why these two types of OI narratives might become misaligned. Finally, we develop theory about how narrative alignment between the organization’s espoused OI narrative and the member’s personalized OI narrative influences the trajectory of individual identification with the organization and their behavior in the organization.