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Organizational Images and Member Identification

Jane E. Dutton, Janet M. Dukerich, Celia Virginia Harquail

Administrative Science Quarterly · 1994 · 4,947 citationsOpen access

Abstract

We develop a model to explain how images of one's work organization shape the strength of his or her identification with the organization. We focus on two key organizational images: one based on what a member believes is distinctive, central, and enduring about his or her organization and one based on a member's beliefs about what outsiders think about the organization. According to the model, members assess the attractiveness of these images by how well the image preserves the continuity of their self-concept, provides distinctiveness, and enhances self-esteem. The model leads to a number of propositions about how organizational identification affects members' patterns of social interaction.

Cite this paper

Dutton, J. E., Dukerich, J. M., & Harquail, C. V. (1994). Organizational images and member identification. Administrative Science Quarterly, 39(2), 239. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393235

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