“I Identify with Her,” “I Identify with Him”: Unpacking the Dynamics of Personal Identification in Organizations

Authors

Blake E. Ashforth, Arizona State University
Beth S. Schinoff, Arizona State University
Kristie M. Rogers, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2016

Publisher

Academy of Management

Source Publication

Academy of Management Review

Source ISSN

0363-7425

Abstract

Despite recognizing the importance of personal identification in organizations, researchers have rarely explored its dynamics. We define personal identification as perceived oneness with another individual, where one defines oneself in terms of the other. While many scholars have found that personal identification is associated with helpful effects, others have found it harmful. To resolve this contradiction, we distinguish between three paths to personal identification—threat-focused, opportunity-focused, and closeness-focused paths—and articulate a model that includes each. We examine the contextual features, how individuals’ identities are constructed, and the likely outcomes that follow in the three paths. We conclude with a discussion of how the threat-, opportunity-, and closeness-focused personal identification processes potentially blend, as well as implications for future research and practice.

Comments

Published version. Academy of Management Review, Vol. 41, No. 1 (2016): 28-60. DOI. © 2016 Academy of Management. Used with permission.

Kristie M. Rogers was affiliated with University of Kansas at the time of publication.

Recommended Citation

Ashforth, Blake E.; Schinoff, Beth S.; and Rogers, Kristie M., "“I Identify with Her,” “I Identify with Him”: Unpacking the Dynamics of Personal Identification in Organizations" (2016). Management Faculty Research and Publications. 314.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/mgmt_fac/314