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Professional Service Firms and Identity

Alvesson, Mats LU ; Kärreman, Dan LU and Sullivan, Katie LU (2015)
Abstract
This chapter examines the relationship between individual and organizational identity in PSFs and the significant but tenuous nature of elite identity in this context. The authors identify four main identity-related issues for management control in PSFs: autonomy/conformity tensions, the client conundrum, ambiguity saturation, and intangibility. They explore three main modes of identity-focused control in PSFs: positive image, homogenization of the workforce, and anxiety-regulation. The chapter examines contemporary challenges to elite identities and the increasing critique of concepts of professionalism in this context and highlights key areas for future research on identity in PSFs and among professionals. These include: the need to... (More)
This chapter examines the relationship between individual and organizational identity in PSFs and the significant but tenuous nature of elite identity in this context. The authors identify four main identity-related issues for management control in PSFs: autonomy/conformity tensions, the client conundrum, ambiguity saturation, and intangibility. They explore three main modes of identity-focused control in PSFs: positive image, homogenization of the workforce, and anxiety-regulation. The chapter examines contemporary challenges to elite identities and the increasing critique of concepts of professionalism in this context and highlights key areas for future research on identity in PSFs and among professionals. These include: the need to acknowledge the homogeneity of professional service firms and professional workers; how professionals regulate their identity to respond to identity challenges; the roles that multiple actors play in a professional’s identity construction; and the depth of identity construction with regard to both organizational and professional identity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
professional service firms, identity, elites, management control, professionalism, organizational identity
host publication
The Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms
editor
Broschak, Joseph ; Empson, Laura ; Hinings, Robert and Muzio, Daniel
publisher
Oxford University Press
ISBN
9780199682393
DOI
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199682393.013.18
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ccdb3b86-7195-4453-9064-6091be409466 (old id 8231005)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:00:15
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:02:04
@inbook{ccdb3b86-7195-4453-9064-6091be409466,
  abstract     = {{This chapter examines the relationship between individual and organizational identity in PSFs and the significant but tenuous nature of elite identity in this context. The authors identify four main identity-related issues for management control in PSFs: autonomy/conformity tensions, the client conundrum, ambiguity saturation, and intangibility. They explore three main modes of identity-focused control in PSFs: positive image, homogenization of the workforce, and anxiety-regulation. The chapter examines contemporary challenges to elite identities and the increasing critique of concepts of professionalism in this context and highlights key areas for future research on identity in PSFs and among professionals. These include: the need to acknowledge the homogeneity of professional service firms and professional workers; how professionals regulate their identity to respond to identity challenges; the roles that multiple actors play in a professional’s identity construction; and the depth of identity construction with regard to both organizational and professional identity.}},
  author       = {{Alvesson, Mats and Kärreman, Dan and Sullivan, Katie}},
  booktitle    = {{The Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms}},
  editor       = {{Broschak, Joseph and Empson, Laura and Hinings, Robert and Muzio, Daniel}},
  isbn         = {{9780199682393}},
  keywords     = {{professional service firms; identity; elites; management control; professionalism; organizational identity}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  title        = {{Professional Service Firms and Identity}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199682393.013.18}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199682393.013.18}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}