Organizational Identity

As I understand organizational identity, it is an amalgam of member’s individual narratives with the narratives and myths of the organization. It represents what an organization does, enables its members to locate themselves and their place in the world, and reflects the underlying values, assumptions, philosophies, and expectations of organizational life (Hopkins, Hopkins, & Mallette, 2005). Through their shared narratives, members contribute to the development of the organization’s identity and may even see in it their self-image as well. Indeed, the organizational identity of those in the organization are likely formed through the narratives they share. The result is that the organization becomes a unique expression the individuals identify with, even to the extent that self-esteem can be intimately connected to the organization’s identity (Brown & Humphreys, 2002).