Who were we then? Who are we now? A qualitative analysis of the relationship between organizational identity and collective memory in a federal agency.

摘要

This qualitative case study contributes to the empirical literature on organizational identity and collective memory. A Federal statistical organization (DRU) presented a unique opportunity to establish the recursive relationship between organizational identity and collective memory.; Giddens's (1979, 1984) theory of structuration offered a conceptual basis to explore DRU's social systems, particularly its context and identity-influencing factors. Halbwachs (1952/1992) and Mannheim's (1928/1952) works provided the framework to understand the collective memory aspects of the study. Analysis of a cross-section of members' collective memories revealed what they considered to be central, distinct, and enduring (Albert & Whetten, 1985). The members labeled their organizational identity characteristics as follows: purpose, data integrity, customer service, and pride.; Data analysis revealed that the identity characteristics established during the founding years remain stable after 25 years. Despite the age of the organization and internal and external factors, only changes in emphasis of the meanings of the characteristics occurred. The study concluded that (a) a recursive relationship does exist between organizational identity and collective memory, and that (b) in order to understand an organization's identity, the organization's biography should be established. This concept has been well established in the individual identity literature (e.g., Polkinghorne, 1988; Taylor, 1989) but has been only recently espoused in the organizational identity literature (Albert, 1998).; The present study suggests that in certain categories of organizations---for example, those in the public sector---organizational identity characteristics represent adaptive stability instead of the adaptive instability described by Gioia, Schultz, and Corley (2000). With adaptive stability, an organization in a stable environment can maintain its characteristics or identity labels, while still evolving its processes, products, and procedures to meet external and internal changes. This is analogous with the concept of autopoiesis (Mingers, 1995).; The study presents recommendations for refinements to Albert and Whetten's (1985) criteria of central character and distinctiveness. For organizations' leaders, this study suggests that they can have a lasting influence by strengthening or positively modifying the organization's identity characteristics or meanings.; An external audit was conducted to ensure the confirmability and trustworthiness of the study results. This underutilized technique offers potential safeguards for novice researchers.