Understanding the Spirit of the Sectors: Exploring Identity in a New Era of Organizing

Abstract

While sector distinction debates often re-emerge during periods of cultural and institutional upheaval, none have considered an identity-orientation perspective. Identity orientation is a natural domain in which to address these debates as it considers the individualistic, relational, and collectivistic foundations of organizations. This study explores whether organizational members across sectors view their organization’s identity orientation differently. Findings suggest that member perceptions of identity orientation are significantly different across sectors and align with traditional sector values and motivations. However, no one sector can be defined solely as individualistic, relational, or collectivistic. These findings are discussed and future research paths laid out.

Acquiesce, Compromise, or Avoid? Collaboration, Coordination, & Cooperation as Different Strategic Responses to Institutional Pressures

“…However, not all managers will perceive the same pressures regardless of sector. As the identity (Langer, 2022) or degree of publicness (Min et al 2020) of the organizations partnering have been found to influence collaboration, so too may the existence or perception of deterrent pressures. In our study, the finding of deterrent pressures clarified the distinction between coordinators and collaborators, and moreover supports the importance of investigating the existence and source of both supportive and deterrent pressures when investigating the effects of perceived isomorphic pressures.…”