Social Identity Perspective Research Articles

How far can I trust you? Understanding the social identity perspective of trust development in global virtual teams

How far can I trust you? Understanding the social identity perspective of trust development in global virtual teams

How to establish customers’ green brand relationships and behaviors: from green consumption consciousness perspectives

PurposeThis study aimed to understand how the consumer–green brand relationship affects the behavior of consumers of e-commerce platforms for smallholder farmers; it did so by formulating and testing a framework based on social identity perspective.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was applied to data from 532 questionnaire responses.FindingsAll hypotheses were supported. Customers’ environmental consciousness, green brand consciousness and green brand self-expression strongly affect green consumption consciousness. The effect of environmental consciousness on green brand identification is stronger than that of environmental consciousness on green brand consciousness and that of green brand self-expression on green brand identification.Practical implicationsSuggestions for managing green brands on e-commerce platforms for smallholder farmers and references for strategizing are also provided.Originality/valueThis study accounts for a wide range of antecedents of green consumption consciousness based on a social identity perspective. This study is the first to elucidate how green consumption affects the e-commerce branding of green smallholder farmers.

Football Belongs to the People: A Social Identity Perspective on Attitudes Toward the European Super League in the English Premier League

The announcement of the European Super League (ESL) led to massive protests in England. While the ESL is officially being reshaped and may resurface, there is a dearth of empirical studies on the motives associated with attitudes toward the ESL. In this research, we explored attitudes toward the ESL among Premier League fans by conducting an online survey 36 hours after the ESL announcement (N = 1,346 fans of Premier League clubs, among which 832 fans of the Big Six clubs involved in the ESL). Fans of the Big Six held more positive attitudes toward the ESL compared to fans of the Other 14 Premier League clubs. However, fans of the Big Six also perceived the ESL as more threatening to their relationship with their team and reported less consumption intentions toward their clubs. From a social identity perspective, team narcissism among fans was positively linked to support for the ESL, primarily through glory hunting—a form of fair-weather fandom. In contrast, secure team identification was negatively related to ESL support. We discuss attractiveness of the ESL for team narcissists and the threat it represents for long-standing fans.

Conspiracy Beliefs and the Perception of Intergroup Inequalities.

Conspiracy beliefs are prevalent among members of disadvantaged groups. Adopting a social identity perspective, we hypothesized that these beliefs would reduce the endorsement of internal attributions for inequalities that could negatively affect the image of disadvantaged ingroups. In Study 1 (n = 1,104), conspiracy mentality was negatively associated with meritocracy beliefs, which attribute success and failure to internal factors. In Studies 2 to 5 (ns = 179, 251, 221, 248), taking the perspective of a person exhibiting a high (vs. low) conspiracy mentality in a fictitious context reduced participants' meritocracy beliefs, internal attributions for a privileged outgroup's situation, and fostered negative attitudes toward the outgroup. However, it did not reduce internal attributions for the situation of a disadvantaged ingroup, nor did it improve attitudes toward the ingroup. Regarding intergroup comparison, conspiracy mentality seems to primarily deteriorate the perception of privileged outgroups rather than improve the perception of disadvantaged ingroups.

Flying high and breaking stigma: a social identity perspective on Chinese frisbee participants

ABSTRACT The growing popularity of frisbee sport in China has brought both recognition and stigmatisation. Rooted in the social identity perspective, this study employs in-depth interviews and participatory observation to explore this phenomenon, creating a multifaceted analytical framework that includes affective commitment, self-categorisation, group self-esteem and self-expansion. The study finds that the primary manifestations of frisbee stigmatisation encompass the heightened online attention and scrutiny, conflicts due to limited playing venues, misconceptions from one-sided sport perceptions, and controversies around its use for blind dates. Moreover, the study reveals that frisbee community members employ diverse strategies to counteract stigma, such as positive confrontation, ignoring or humorously resolving stigmatisation, selective online self-presentation, and converting opponents into supporters. This research contributes to the field of leisure studies by offering a deeper understanding of how leisure sports identities are negotiated in the context of societal prejudices. Furthermore, it provides practical insights for fostering resilience, promoting a positive sports culture, and encouraging a healthier approach to leisure sports among youth, potentially minimising the negative impact of stigma on emerging leisure sports activities.

A social identity perspective on language and researchers’ cultural identities in qualitative interviews in multinational corporations

PurposeThis study aims to advance knowledge in international management research about how researchers’ cultural identity in fieldwork encounters may be grounded in the choice of language in multicultural and multilingual projects.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on critical reflections on the experience of two co-authors as Chinese nationals conducting research in overseas Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) in developing economies.FindingsDrawing on social identity theory, the authors demonstrate that the cultural identity and cultural insider/outsider positionality of both the researcher and research participants can be shaped by language, translation and other artefacts in cross-cultural interviews, constantly being shifted, managed and renegotiated during qualitative interviewing. This study highlights the politics of language which, when combined with other forms of power relations, such as the researcher’s perceived status, economic development of the MNCs’ home country and the participants’ organisational hierarchy, affect power distribution between the researcher and participants. Researchers often need to move from being an “insider” to an “outsider” and often to an “in-betweener” at different stages in an interview interaction to balance power.Originality/valueThis study contributes to international debates about the complex interplay of languages, politics and identity in multilingual and multicultural qualitative research. In contributing to these literatures, the authors focus on the relatively under-researched Chinese MNCs in other developing countries including Mongolia and Tanzania. Recommendations for researcher training and reflexivity are proposed.

A social identity perspective on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) entrepreneurs’ networking behavior

PurposeThis study aims to draw upon entrepreneurial network resource and social identity theories to advance the understanding of LGBT entrepreneurial behavior. The authors focus on what resources are acquired by LGBT entrepreneurs from LGBT-specific networks, such as entrepreneurs’ associations or chambers of commerce, and why they might engage with them.Design/methodology/approachAs an initial scoping exercise, Study 1 quantitatively examined the different resources acquired via a survey of 109 LGBT entrepreneurs from the UK, mainland Europe and North America. Building on these findings, Study 2 qualitatively explored why LGBT entrepreneurs acquire resources from and engage with LGBT-specific networks via interviews with 23 LGBT entrepreneurs (with representation from the UK, Mainland Europe and North America).FindingsStudy 1 indicates that being more involved in LGBT-specific networks is associated with stronger resource acquisition, particularly those that are relational and psychological in nature. Study 2 reveals that such networks can act as psychologically safe holding environments where resources that fulfil needs for belonging and uniqueness are acquired. However, certain challenges and issues arise when trying to meet all members' needs.Practical implicationsThe findings underscore the need for LGBT networks that are run for, and by, LGBT entrepreneurs. Such networks allow LGBT entrepreneurs to be more authentic about, and empowered by, their LGBT identity in their business such that they can develop a stronger sense of individual and collective pride in being part of an LGBT entrepreneurial community. Yet, there is a need to understand the variety of identities and needs across the LGBT community.Originality/valueThe authors advance our understanding of LGBT entrepreneurs by connecting knowledge on entrepreneurship with that on applied psychology. The authors develop an original contribution by focusing on how LGBT entrepreneurs use LGBT-specific networks to meet important psychological and relational needs, thus speaking to the importance of developing an LGBT entrepreneurial community that enables LGBT entrepreneurs to express their LGBT and entrepreneurial identities.

Exploring the relationship between shared identity and interoperability: a mixed methods analysis of discussion-based multi-agency emergency response exercises

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown ongoing difficulties between Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance Service responders during multi-agency emergencies. Recently, researchers have used the Social Identity Approach to gain insight into these challenges, offering a psychological framework for understanding relations within and between response organisations. This study builds upon previous work by engaging responders from the emergency services in six discussion-based exercises. By analysing participants’ identity levels and their perceptions of joint working performance, we found a positive association between shared identity and interoperability. Analysis of the discussion transcripts highlighted areas where joint working faced obstacles, such as the use of organisation-specific terminology. Furthermore focus group discussions after the exercise revealed key factors linking shared identity to effective multi-agency response, including increased motivation to collaborate and increased trust and respect. This research deepens our understanding of multi-agency working from a social identity perspective, highlighting the importance of shared identity in enhancing joint efforts. Practical implications are addressed.

Inclusive Identity to Improve Financial Literacy in A Community: Social Identity Perspective

Inclusive Identity to Improve Financial Literacy in A Community: Social Identity Perspective

Exploring the impact of Qatar’s soft power sponsorship in the Indian Premier League: a social identity perspective

PurposeDrawing upon the Social Identity Theory, this research aims to investigate the effectiveness of Qatar’s soft power sponsorships among the Indian Premier League (IPL) fans in India. We explore the relationship between team identification, team-sponsor fit, and purchase intention of sports fans, while also examining the moderating effect of sponsor brand awareness in the context of the IPL.Design/methodology/approachUsing a quantitative research design, we conducted both offline and online surveys from sports fans. The proposed model was examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling to test the study’s hypotheses.FindingsThe results reveal a positive and significant association between team identification and team-sponsor fit, and team-sponsor fit and purchase intention of sponsor brands. Further, brand awareness moderates the relationship between team-sponsor fit and purchase intention of sponsor brands, but not on the team identification and team-sponsor fit relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThis research adds to the paradigm of social identity theory and soft power sponsorship research. By providing insights into fans’ predisposition towards the team sponsors, the study will help managers design effective brand promotion strategies.Originality/valueThis research is the first to explore the effectiveness of soft-power sponsorships in the Indian mega-sports landscap. It is also the first to explore the moderating effect of sponsor brand awareness on sponsorship effectiveness, which is determined through the purchase intentions of the sponsor brand.

A Study on Anomie and Neoliberalism: The Role of Social Disconnection on Well-Being

This study analyses whether the levels of anomie and social disconnection as consequences of the perceived implementation of neoliberal economic measures have a negative influence on the well-being of individuals. The study sample consisted of 334 Spanish participants residing in the city and province of Malaga, Spain (201 women and 133 men). The age of the participants ranged from 18 to 80 years (M = 33.22, SD = 15.35). The results obtained in our research showed that anomie and social disconnection exert a serial mediation on the relationship between perceived neoliberalism and well-being. It was obtained that perceived neoliberalism had a positive effect on anomie and that anomie had a positive effect on social disengagement, while pointing to social disengagement having a negative effect on well-being. The results are interpreted from the perspective of social identity, assuming that a society as being in a state of anomie fails to satisfy important psychological needs. This anomie causes individuals to perceive themselves as more disconnected, and as such not benefiting from the potential positive effects of group membership and social identification.

Social ties and social identification: Influences on well-being in young adults.

Research highlights the positive impact of social connectedness on subjective well-being. In this paper, we test a model in which an identity-based mechanism links a structural form of connectedness (significant social ties) with two psychological well-being outcomes, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Using data from the LIVES Longitudinal Lausanne Youth Study (LIVES-LOLYS, N = 422), a longitudinal mediation path model tests direct and indirect effects, via the strength of social identification, of the number of significant social ties in two life domains (friends and family) on life satisfaction and self-esteem. Results showed positive associations between the number of significant ties and social identification in the concordant domain, empirically linking the structural and subjective forms of social connectedness. Moreover, our model displays significant indirect effects in the friend domain, but not in the family domain. Having more friends as significant social ties predicted higher social identification with friends, and this was longitudinally associated with higher life satisfaction and self-esteem. Findings show a new mechanism linking structural and subjective forms of social connectedness, unpacking their concerted impact in protecting well-being. The differences between the friend and family domains are discussed in the framework of both life-course and social identity perspectives.

Leader humility and follower prosocial behaviours: Integrating three theoretical perspectives

AbstractIntegrating social cognitive perspective, social exchange perspective, and social identity perspective, we developed a research model examining how leader humility affects follower prosocial behaviours via three psychological mechanisms (i.e., self‐efficacy, affective trust, and perceived insider status). We used two field survey studies to examine our research model. Using a three‐wave lagged design, Study 1 (N = 221) found that leader humility had positive indirect effects on employee knowledge exchange, an information‐based indicator of prosocial behaviours, through all three mechanisms. To constructively replicate and extend our findings, Study 2 (N = 230) used a multi‐source and three‐wave lagged design and incorporated two additional indicators of prosocial behaviours: helping behaviour and voice behaviour. The results showed that affective trust mediated the positive effects of leader humility on all indicators of prosocial behaviours, indicating that social exchange is a powerful theoretical lens in explaining the implications of leader humility. Self‐efficacy mediated the positive effect of leader humility on knowledge exchange and helping behaviour. However, perceived insider status did not exhibit any significant mediating effect. We discussed the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for leadership.

Proud of my organization: conceptualizing the relationships between high-performance HR practices, leadership support, organizational pride, identification and innovative work behaviour

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of high-performance HR practices (HPHRP) on the innovative work behaviour (IWB) of employees. Drawing on social exchange theory, when employees perceive their exchange relationship in terms of HPHRP and leadership support as fair, we hypothesize that employees will demonstrate greater IWB. However, drawing on social identity theory, we hypothesize that when the attitude of employees towards their employer with best employer practices is favourable, the impact of HPHRP mediated by organizational pride and organizational identification, has a greater impact on employee IWB. Design/methodology/approach Survey research was used to empirically validate the study involving employees (n = 370) who belong to the best employer brands in India. The data was analysed using Process Macro Models 7 for moderated mediation and Model 6 for serial mediation using bootstrapping procedures. Findings The results suggest that perceived leadership support moderated the indirect effect of HPHRP on IWB through organizational pride. Again, organizational pride and identification partially and serially mediated the impact of HPHRP on IWB. Research limitations/implications Organizations must invest in HPHRP, with supportive leadership practices that can foster an emotional attitude of pride and a cognitive attitude of organizational identification to be an employer of choice resulting in employees’ IWB. Originality/value The study investigating the mediating impact of the emotional and cognitive attitudes of pride and organizational identification has not been previously explored, in the relationship between HPHRP and IWB, from a social identity perspective.

“That’s just the way it is”: bullying and harassment in STEM academia

BackgroundThe under-representation of women and other minority group members in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) academia is a problem internationally and is attributed in part to hostile workplace cultures. We draw on the social identity perspective to examine the dynamic inter and intragroup processes entailed in these experiences. In this paper, we report a reflexive thematic analysis of 219 responses to a free-text question on bullying and harassment embedded in a national survey of 40 STEM departments from across the United Kingdom. Most were women (53%) at an early, pre-lectureship career stage.Main findingsOur analysis shows who is the perpetrator and who is the victim is not arbitrary, and neither is the form that it takes; majority group members draw on discourses that warrant the exclusion of minority group members (e.g., women are not smart; incompatibility with religious identity). In this ‘othering’, minority group members learn that one is not regarded as a bona fide STEM academic ingroup member and accordingly are constrained in being able to claim and act on that identity. Thus, it is not just the acts themselves that are problematic, but the ways in which being denied a shared STEM academic identity is consequential for a range of putative benefits and leads to a range of strategies that all confer costs.Conclusions/potential implicationsThe solution must rest with senior STEM academics and with institutions. First, we need to challenge discourses and practices that narrowly define the boundaries and content of STEM academic identity. Second, all members of a community need to perceive an alignment between the purported values of an organisation for diversity, inclusion, and respect and how that organisation responds when those principles are violated. Formal processes of remedy need to recognise the dynamics entailed in status differences and remove the onus of complaint from isolated, low status individuals. In addition, there is a need to recognise the ways in which perpetrators are embedded in networks of support both within and without the university; and the importance, therefore, of widening the scope of evidence gathering and intervention.

Unveiling the psychological mechanisms of mutual help groups for addiction recovery: The role of social identity factors.

The effectiveness of mutual help groups (MHGs) in promoting addiction recovery has been widely acknowledged. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying the impact of MHGs remain somewhat uncertain. Drawing on a social identity perspective, this study investigated a sequential mediation model in which social support is posited as a driving factor that enhances abstinence maintenance through group identification, recovery identity, and self-efficacy. A sample of 820 smokers, participating in a 6-month collective smoking cessation programme which included access to an online help group, completed measures of social support, group identification, smoker/ex-smoker identity, and self-efficacy at the programme's outset. Smoking abstinence was assessed 6 and 9 months later. The findings supported the proposed model, indicating that social support was positively associated with MHG identification, which, in turn, was related to a stronger recovery identity. Subsequently, recovery identity was associated with increased self-efficacy, and indirectly, with smoking abstinence at both measurement times. Additional analyses testing alternative mediation models further supported the validity of the proposed model. These findings suggest that social identity factors play significant roles in accounting for the effectiveness of MHGs for addiction recovery.

Linking corporate social responsibility to organizational commitment: the role of employee job satisfaction

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of an organization’s internal and external corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the social identity perspective, the authors proposed and tested a mediation model to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying the effects of CSR. The study sample comprised 263 employees from Italian manufacturing firms. Findings Our findings indicate that external CSR orientation is positively associated with employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Furthermore, the mediating effect of job satisfaction partially explains the positive relationship between external CSR orientation and organizational commitment. Moreover, we found that the positive impact of external CSR on employee outcomes is strengthened when combined with internal CSR. Practical implications This research has practical and theoretical implications for organizations seeking to enhance employee engagement and commitment through CSR initiatives and sheds light on how CSR can shape employee attitudes and behaviors toward the organization. Originality/value This study brings a novel contribution to the field by examining the impact of both internal and external CSR initiatives on employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

Chinese International Students Ingroup Bias and Collective Self-esteem

This study explores the influence of studying abroad on ingroup bias and collective self-esteem among Chinese international students in the US. Given the cultural differences between the two countries, Chinese students may face challenges and even discrimination when socializing with the host nationals. From the social identity perspective, such negative experiences can intensify feelings of being an outsider, leading to stronger adherence to their familiar group. In addition, to strengthen their social identity they may emphasize the positive attributes of the ingroup they belong to, which also enhances collective self-esteem. The present study hypothesizes that Chinese international students will exhibit higher ingroup bias and collective self-esteem related to their nationality than domestic Chinese students. Using a minimal group paradigm, the research aims to determine if overseas experiences heighten ingroup bias and collective self-esteem even without real-context comparisons. The findings provide insights into the complexities of cross-cultural interactions and the psychological impacts of studying abroad.

Organizational socialization strategies and newcomers' identity development: A social identity perspective

Organizational socialization strategies and newcomers' identity development: A social identity perspective

The curvilinear relationship between moral identity and unethical pro-organizational behavior: moderating role of organizational identification

PurposeThis study proposes that the relationship between the employee's moral identity and unethical behavior might sometimes differ from linearly negative, given certain contextual variations, such as unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). The pro-organizational motivation of UPB may appeal to individuals' morality to perform unethical behavior for their organization. Herein, using the social identity perspective, the present study hypothesizes a curvilinear relationship between moral identity and UPB with the moderation of organizational identification.Design/methodology/approachData collected in two field studies, from 316 and 185 executives in Study 1 and 2, was analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsThe results affirmed an inverted U-shaped relationship between moral identity and UPB. Further, organizational identification moderated the relationship such that an increase in organizational identification augmented the UPB tendency for low moral identity individuals while inhibiting the UPB tendency for high moral identity individuals.Originality/valueThe current study uniquely demonstrates how moral identity might promote unethical behavior in pro-organizational contexts. Further, this research shows how high moral identity might mitigate the negative outcomes of high organizational identification.