Abstract
In exploring individual identity and how this connects with organisational identity, this book links into many current and important themes in learning, business, management and the applied social sciences. Of course, in exploring the timeless question of ‘who am I’, it is addressing a topic that is of relevance and interest not just in these areas but to everyone. The topic is certainly fundamental to a complete understanding of organisational life, and I have frequently used the book in my postgraduate teaching on leadership and developing skills for business leadership.
It is well thought through, presented and written, is clear and progresses in a logical way. The authors say (p. 10) that the book is targeted at ‘teachers and students’, although I would argue that with the wording in the text and sample exam/assignment questions that are provided at the end of many of the chapters, the authors have the student in mind as the principal reader. In my view, this limits the books reach and target audience when it is not necessary to target such a specific audience. Many of the areas covered are significant and relevant to large numbers of managers, practitioners, researchers and employees. Indeed, anyone wishing to understand themselves better – not just teachers and students.
Kenny et al.’s approach is based on a social constructionist perspective and examines identity in relation to who we are in relation to others. They argue (p. 3) that the terms identity and personality are often used interchangeably, or are assumed to have rather similar meanings. They point out that their perspective on identity, however, is not as fixed or based on views of personal inner world cognitive structures that many theories of personality are built upon. As such, they do not engage personality per se in the book (p. 3) and rather dismiss it. This perspective on identity has much to offer and is realistic, and very refreshing. Given the amount of engagement with issues of personality, and the number of personality tests freely available now, however, it would seem to have been of use to more fully engage with the issue of personality and the differences in what they are proposing. To develop this point further, I feel in order to assist the reader in gaining a greater understanding of what identity actually is, it would also have been beneficial to engage in more depth with the related concepts which Sanders (2011) argues makes up professional identity: concepts including personality, norms, emotions, values, knowledge and skills. Hence, I am left feeling still unsure about what identity actually is and how it links with these other aspects.
Useful areas of further reading and tasks for the reader are provided at the end of each chapter, although the tasks are only targeted at students. It would also have been useful to guide the reader to more easily accessible web resources in the area. A number of useful ‘Thinkpoints’ (e.g. p. 152) are also provided through the text. Good, regular use of little cartoons to illustrate points, break up the text and enable visual engagement of the reader. I have to admit though I did not fully understand the point being made in many of these.
Their exploration of six different theoretical perspectives on identity in Chapter 2 is excellent, detailed and well thought through. A number of my PhD students struggling with understanding underpinning theoretical perspectives have found this chapter to be particularly helpful. The example provided in this chapter of how these different perspectives are seen in practice through an analysis of a fictional diary of Frances is particularly useful.
A key chapter (Chapter 3) that is provided is the one exploring diversity and identity. There are many useful insights in this, and a number of my delegates have found the explorations in this chapter particularly helpful in their own research. Gender is one of the important aspects explored here. Although gender is of course of vital importance with respect to understanding our identity, there is perhaps a little too much emphasis placed on gender and particularly female gender issues both in this chapter and in the book. Although they are considered, further explorations of other aspects to diversity including race, age, sexuality, mental health and different learning abilities would have been beneficial. The book is also written from a Western perspective, and although examples from many different cultures are included, a greater engagement of multicultural perspectives and viewpoints would have been beneficial.
Another important and very current part to the book relates to the meaning of work and sense of identity this provides. This brings in many aspects of motivation and engagement. It also explores identification. In the mainstream literature, it is assumed that identification with an organisation is functional and unproblematic so long as it does not become counterproductive where the ability to adapt and change is impeded (p. 120). The authors, however, engage in much more depth with the complexities involved in identification. The four different types of identification and the particularly pathologies that can be associated with these provide important contributions. The authors also draw on a case study to illustrate the points here. The section on organisational identity is useful and new. This is exciting, useful material for many leaders and practitioners in organisations, and illustrates my earlier point regarding the book being of appeal to many beyond academia.
The chapter on virtual identity (Chapter 7) is fascinating and develops a relatively new area well. Overall, this book offers an important an interesting contribution to explorations of identity. It really engages with the complexity of the issues involved and does not look to provide easy answers and quick fixes. The authors make the excellent point (p. 8) that the different aspects to identity are not always coherent and can be competing and contradictory. They draw on a powerful range of case studies and discuss numerous research studies which shed light on the exploration and make the area practical, interesting and current. It offers a well-researched, in-depth, thorough, thoughtful and critical contribution to the field.