Professional Service Firms and Identity
(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:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/8231005
- author
- Alvesson, Mats LU ; Kärreman, Dan LU and Sullivan, Katie LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2015
- 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}}, }