Self-doubters, strugglers, storytellers, surfers and others: Images of self-identities in organization studies

• This article provides an overview of the key images of identity in organizations found in the research literature. Image refers to the overall idea or conceptualization, capturing how researchers relate to - and shape - a phenomenon. Seven images are suggested: self-doubters, strugglers, surfers, storytellers, strategists, stencils and soldiers. These refer to how the individual is metaphorically understood in terms of identity, that is, how the researcher (research text) captures the individual producing a sense of self. The article aims to facilitate orientation - or encourage productive confusion - within the field, encourage reflexivity and sharpen analytic choices through awareness of options for how to conceptualize self-identity constructions.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Keyword

organizational psychology

self

identity

construction

discourse

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)