Occupational limbo, transitional liminality and permanent liminality: New conceptual distinctions

Abstract

This article contributes new theoretical perspectives and empirical findings to the conceptualization of occupational liminality. Here, we posit ‘occupational limbo’ as a state distinct from both transitional and permanent liminality; an important analytic distinction in better understanding occupational experiences. In its anthropological sense, liminality refers to a state of being betwixt and between; it is temporary and transitional. Permanent liminality refers to a state of being neither-this-nor-that, or both-this-and-that. We extend this framework in proposing a conceptualization of occupational limbo as always-this-and-never-that, where this is less desirable than that. Based on interviews with 51 teaching-only staff at 20 research-intensive ‘Russell Group’ universities in the United Kingdom, the findings highlight some challenging occupational experiences. Interviewees reported feeling ‘locked-in’ to an uncomfortable state by a set of structural and social barriers often perceived as insurmountable. Teaching-only staff were found to engage in negative and often self-deprecatory identity talk that highlighted a felt inability to cross the līmen to the elevated status of ‘proper academics’. The research findings and the new conceptual framework provide analytic insights with wider application to other occupational spheres, and can thus enhance the understanding not just of teaching-only staff and academics, but also of other workers and managers.\ud \ud Keywords academic careers, limbo, organizational theory, liminality, work environmen

Continuity in the face of change: Identifying three strategies for constructing stable masculinity in liminality

“…From different theoretical perspectives, research on identity in liminal contexts has identified how people take different identity positions to create or maintain identity stability (Hay & Samra‐Fredericks, ; Ibarra & Obodaru, ). We argue that participants’ constructions of continuous selves serve as responses to unstable and sometimes identity‐threatening liminal contexts (Bamber et al ., ). In this way, our findings confirm previous research into liminal identity work and expand our understanding of discursive strategies that people may use to make sense of themselves and their experiences in liminal contexts.…”

“…Some studies show that people in liminality voice an intense desire for both self and structural stability and ‘fixedness’ (Hay & Samra‐Fredericks, ). Others feel trapped in a transitory state by insurmountable structural barriers (Bamber et al ., ). If some of these barriers can be overcome, identity work can be particularly creative in liminal spaces (Ibarra & Obodaru, ).…”

“…Much of the literature on liminal identity work is situated within organizational research such as human relations and management studies (e.g., Bamber, Allen‐Collinson, & McCormack, ; Daskalaki & Simosi, ; Hay & Samra‐Fredericks, ; Ibarra & Obodaru, ). This body of literature largely focuses on individuals whose career paths have been disrupted or renewed, and examines their identity work amidst or in the aftermath of these changes.…”

A Temporary Liminal Space Counteracting the Permanent ‘in between’ in Working Life

“…Finding a way out from such a situation may be difficult if one experiences it as being constantly in a 'fast-moving train' (Johnsen & Sørensen 2015). A frustration caused by the simultaneous impossibility and unavoidability of finding a solution may feel like schitzophrenic aporia (Czarniawska & Mazza 2003) or limbo (Bamber et al 2017). Facing this situation alone increases its difficulty (Johnsen & Sørensen 2015).…”

Being and becoming a “good” qualitative researcher? Liminality and the risk of limbo

“…The social environment has emerged from the direction and behaviours of those who are dominant within the field. Bamber et al (2017) further develop the theorising on the concept of liminality by distinguishing van Gennep's original definition as 'transitional liminality', with two other related concepts: permanent liminality, which "creates an enduring sense of being neither-Xnor-Y or indeed of being both-X-and-Y" (Bamber et al, 2017: 3); and limbo, which is "a fixed, 'trapped' state…not moving towards a threshold" (Bamber et al, 2017: 8). This i t a t i v e R e s e a r c h i n O r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d M a n a g e m e 4 distinction is important, as 'limbo' is frequently but imprecisely used in common parlance.…”