Reflections on shifts in work identity of research team members

• Main Author: Smith, Rina Alida
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Work identity; Corporate culture; Identity (Psychology); Employees - Rating of
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6906

M.Phil. === Orientation: This study explores shifts in the work identity of individual team members in a research team. Research Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore shifts in work identity experienced by individual research team members during the duration of a project wherein they studied work identity themselves. Motivation for the study: To reflect on shifts in work identity. Research strategy: The researcher presented data through confessional tales, autoethnography, fictional representation, realist tales and vignettes. Using thematic analysis methodology in the context of qualitative field research, ten semi -structured interviews were conducted with five participants who were themselves involved in conducting a research study on work identity.These participants were employed by various South African companies and academia.The researcher, who formed part of the research team presented data related to shifts in her own work identity by means of an autoethnographic account. Main findings: The four primary themes presented in the data are: Compass points guiding our journey; navigating personal circumstances; negotiating identity and identification in the workplace; perception of self. Managerial applications: This study has implications for organisations looking to improve productivity through an understanding of work identity. Theoretical Contribution: An application for shifts in work identity is done by positioning shifts in work identity in a framework proposed by Ibarra (2004).