This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Elsbach, K. D. Articles by Bhattacharya, C. B. Search for Related Content

Defining Who You Are By What You're Not: Organizational Disidentification and The National Rifle Association

Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis, California 95616
School of Management, Boston University, 595 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 01915
kdelsbach{at}ucdavis.edu
cb{at}bu.edu

Through two exploratory studies, we develop and test an introductory framework of "organizational disidentification." Our first study explores the concept of organizational disidentification through a qualitative investigation of cognitive relationships with the National Rifle Association (NRA). Findings suggest that organizational disidentification is a self-perception based on: (1) a cognitive separation between one's identity and the organization's identity, and (2) a negative relational categorization of oneself and the organization (e.g., categorizations such as "rivals" or "enemies"). Organizational disidentification appears to be motivated by individuals' desires to both affirm positive distinctiveness and avoid negative distinctiveness by distancing themselves from incongruent values and negative stereotypes attributed to an organization. Our findings also suggest that organizational disidentification can lead individuals to take action (either volunteer work or voicing their opinion) as a result of their perceived separation from the organization's identity. Results of our second study"a large-scale survey of public attitudes about the NRA"provide support for this framework.

Key Words: Organizational Identity; Identification; Disidentification; Stereotypes

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Gibney, T. J. Zagenczyk, and M. F. Masters The Negative Aspects of Social Exchange: An Introduction to Perceived Organizational Obstruction Group Organization Management, December 1, 2009; 34(6): 665 - 697. [Abstract] [PDF]

				U. M. Dholakia, V. Blazevic, C. Wiertz, and R. Algesheimer Communal Service Delivery: How Customers Benefit From Participation in Firm-Hosted Virtual P3 Communities Journal of Service Research, November 1, 2009; 12(2): 208 - 226. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Costas and P. Fleming Beyond dis-identification: A discursive approach to self-alienation in contemporary organizations Human Relations, March 1, 2009; 62(3): 353 - 378. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. E. Devers, T. Dewett, Y. Mishina, and C. A. Belsito A General Theory of Organizational Stigma Organization Science, January 1, 2009; 20(1): 154 - 171. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C.-B. Zhong, K. W. Phillips, G. J. Leonardelli, and A. D. Galinsky Negational Categorization and Intergroup Behavior Pers Soc Psychol Bull, June 1, 2008; 34(6): 793 - 806. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. M. B. Thatcher and L. L. Greer Does It Really Matter If You Recognize Who I Am? The Implications of Identity Comprehension for Individuals in Work Teams{dagger} Journal of Management, February 1, 2008; 34(1): 5 - 24. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. E. Bergman, K. M. Watrous-Rodriguez, and K. M. Chalkley Identity and Language: Contributions to and Consequences of Speaking Spanish in the Workplace Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, February 1, 2008; 30(1): 40 - 68. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Carroll and L. Levy Defaulting to Management: Leadership Defined By What It Is Not Organization, January 1, 2008; 15(1): 75 - 96. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Verkuyten and A. A. Yildiz National (Dis)identification and Ethnic and Religious Identity: A Study Among Turkish-Dutch Muslims Pers Soc Psychol Bull, October 1, 2007; 33(10): 1448 - 1462. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Ran and P. R. Duimering Imaging the Organization: Language Use in Organizational Identity Claims Journal of Business and Technical Communication, April 1, 2007; 21(2): 155 - 187. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Z. G. Voss, D. M. Cable, and G. B. Voss Organizational Identity and Firm Performance: What Happens When Leaders Disagree About "Who We Are?" Organization Science, November 1, 2006; 17(6): 741 - 755. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. E. Kreiner, B. E. Ashforth, and D. M. Sluss Identity Dynamics in Occupational Dirty Work: Integrating Social Identity and System Justification Perspectives Organization Science, September 1, 2006; 17(5): 619 - 636. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Z. G. Voss and V. Cova How sex differences in perceptions influence customer satisfaction: a study of theatre audiences Marketing Theory, June 1, 2006; 6(2): 201 - 221. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Sveningsson and M. Larsson Fantasies of Leadership: Identity Work Leadership, May 1, 2006; 2(2): 203 - 224. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Fleming Workers' Playtime?: Boundaries and Cynicism in a "Culture of Fun" Program Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, September 1, 2005; 41(3): 285 - 303. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. B. Campbell Theorizing the Authentic: Identity, Engagement, and Public Space Administration Society, January 1, 2005; 36(6): 688 - 705. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. E. Gibson Developing the Professional Self-Concept: Role Model Construals in Early, Middle, and Late Career Stages Organization Science, September 1, 2003; 14(5): 591 - 610. [Abstract] [PDF]