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Where there is light, there is dark: A review of the detrimental outcomes of high organizational identification
Author(s) -
Conroy Samantha,
Henle Christine A.,
Shore Lynn,
Stelman Samantha
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of organizational behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.938
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1099-1379
pISSN - 0894-3796
DOI - 10.1002/job.2164
Subject(s) - organizational identification , identification (biology) , psychology , great rift , organizational commitment , organizational studies , interpersonal communication , social psychology , organizational behavior , organizational change , morality , organization development , identity (music) , organizational behavior and human resources , social identity theory , organizational learning , work (physics) , public relations , knowledge management , social group , political science , computer science , biology , mechanical engineering , botany , physics , astronomy , acoustics , law , engineering
Summary An extensive body of research on organizational identification has developed over the last 25 years. This work has typically taken the view that organizational identification is good for individuals and organizations. However, the underlying social identity processes of organizational identification do not suggest that only positive outcomes should be expected. We review the work addressing organizational identification's dark side. Our review suggests that organizational identification can lead to unethical behaviors, resistance to organizational change, lower performance, interpersonal conflict, negative emotions, and reduced well‐being. Conditions facilitating these undesirable outcomes include situation factors (e.g., identity threats, work characteristics) and person factors (e.g., morality, other identifications). By providing a counterpoint to the generally positive approach to organizational identification, we attempt to move the literature toward a more balanced view. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.