Research Summary
Research Summary
Overview
Description
In industries characterized by extreme dynamism, complexity, and uncertainty, formal structure often “falls behind” actual work processes. The nature of work in these environments evolves continuously while formal structure can only do so at specific times in discrete ways. My research aims to uncover new forms and processes of organizing that allow firms in these industries to thrive and stay ahead of the curve.
I have spent the past two years at a social media company tracing the ways in which identity (both at collective and individual levels) helps organize work processes in order to capture market opportunities before the window closes. My in-depth inductive qualitative study explains how identity acts as a shared cognitive map that guides the evolution of roles and linkages until a new formal structure is put in place. Identity emerges as a continuity that bridges two discontinuities (structure at t0 and t1) and thus helps shape the organization’s evolutionary trajectory.
In related work, I explore how identity can be brought asunder by reorganizations that interrupt this trajectory.I examine the different kinds of identity work individuals perform not only to sustain their sense of self at work but also to support vital work processes the new structure ignores. Additional inductive-qualitative work describes how organizations use structural ambiguity to perform complex cross-functional work (with Ranjay Gulati), how identity can help firms adapt to crises in emerging markets (with Andres Hatum, Andrew Pettigrew, and Roberto Vassolo, 2012) and how identity can help drive strategy and long-term performance (with Andres Hatum, 2015).