Organisations and the issue of multiple identities: who loves you baby?

摘要

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the relationship between organisational identification andidentification with work group and profession for knowledge workers. The literature points to twocompeting standpoints, first, a compatible relationship between focal points of identity and second, atrade off relationship whereby an increase in one is at the expense of another. Design/methodology/approach - Using the population of a large public UK sector organisationordinary least squares regression was used to examine these relationships. Findings – The findings established a strong relationship in which work group, organisational andprofessional identification were compatible. Research limitations/implications – The findings indicate, at least in this context, that noinherent trade off or problem reconciling multiple identities was evident. Regrettably the authors donot have the capacity to comment on the weighting or the relative importance placed on each focus ofidentity; this is an area for future research. Originality/value – This paper seeks to contribute to the discussions of is the relationship betweenorganisational identification and allegiances with the workgroup or profession, which isunderdeveloped in the literature.