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Managing the consequences of organizational stigmatization: identity work in a social enterprise


Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Tracey, PJ 
Phillips, N 

Abstract

In this inductive study, we shift the focus of stigma research inside organizational boundaries by examining its relationship with organizational identity. To do so, we draw on the case of Keystone, a social enterprise in the East of England that became stigmatized after it initiated a program of support for a group of migrants in its community. Keystone's stigmatization precipitated a crisis of organizational identity. We examine how the identity crisis unfolded, focusing on the forms of identity work that Keystone's leaders enacted in response. Interestingly, we show not only that the internal effects of stigmatization on identity can be managed, but also that they may facilitate unexpected positive outcomes for organizations.

Description

Keywords

3505 Human Resources and Industrial Relations, 35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services, 3507 Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour

Journal Title

Academy of Management Journal

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1535-3990
1948-0989

Volume Title

59

Publisher

Academy of Management
Sponsorship
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/I017453/1)
This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (grant number 60354).