Organizational identity and organizational identification are related but distinct concepts in organizational theory. They both concern how an organization is perceived and how individuals within or outside it relate to it, but they focus on different aspects.
Organizational Identity
Organizational identity refers to the core attributes that members perceive as central, distinctive, and enduring to their organization. It answers the question, “Who are we as an organization?”
Key characteristics of organizational identity include:
- Centrality: These are fundamental aspects without which the organization would be different.
- Distinctiveness: These attributes set the organization apart from others.
- Endurance: These are qualities that are expected to last over time, though they can evolve.
Organizational identity is shaped by shared beliefs, values, and practices within the organization. It influences how leaders make decisions, how strategies are crafted, and how the organization communicates its purpose and mission. It’s essentially the organization’s self-concept.
Organizational Identification
Organizational identification, on the other hand, is the process through which individuals come to see themselves as part of the organization. It’s about the psychological bond and sense of belonging an employee feels towards their workplace. It answers the question, “How do I see myself in relation to this organization?”
Key aspects of organizational identification:
- Perceived Oneness: Individuals feel a sense of unity with the organization, experiencing its successes and failures as their own.
- Alignment of Self-Concept: Employees define themselves, in part, by the attributes they believe define the organization.
- Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Components: Identification can involve understanding the organization’s goals (cognitive), feeling emotionally attached (emotional), and acting in ways that benefit the organization (behavioral).
In essence, organizational identity is about what the organization is, while organizational identification is about how individuals connect with and see themselves as part of that “is.” A strong organizational identity can foster higher levels of organizational identification among its members.