Mediating ambiguity: Narrative identity and knowledge workers

Mallett, O.; Wapshott, R.

doi:10.1016/j.scaman.2011.12.001

Mediating ambiguity: Narrative identity and knowledge workers

Mallett, O.; Wapshott, R.

Authors

O. Mallett

R. Wapshott

Abstract

Drawing on Paul Ricoeur's approach to narrative identity and a longitudinal case study of a graphic design firm, this paper explores identity work provoked by organisational changes for one group of knowledge workers, graphic designers. The approach to identity work developed in this paper illuminates how these knowledge workers use narrative to mediate between social and personal identities during a period of significant organisational change. The narrative identity approach, derived from Ricoeur, embraces the multiplicity, complexity and potential contradictions encountered by knowledge workers facing threats to their personal identity. In addition to developing Ricoeur's thinking to understand identity work in an organisational context, the impact of organisational change for knowledge workers is highlighted for practitioners.

Citation

Mallett, O., & Wapshott, R. (2012). Mediating ambiguity: Narrative identity and knowledge workers. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 28(1), 16-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scaman.2011.12.001

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Mar 1, 2012
Deposit Date	Dec 13, 2011
Publicly Available Date	Sep 4, 2012
Journal	Scandinavian Journal of Management
Print ISSN	0956-5221
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	28
Issue	1
Pages	16-26
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scaman.2011.12.001
Keywords	Ricoeur, Knowledge work, Identity work, Narrative identity, Mediation, Ambiguity, Designers.
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1524360

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Copyright Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Scandinavian journal of management. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Scandinavian journal of management, 28, 1, 2012, 10.1016/j.scaman.2011.12.001