1st Edition

Role Transitions in Organizational Life An Identity-based Perspective

By Blake Ashforth Copyright 2001
376 Pages
by Routledge

376 Pages
by Routledge

372 Pages
by Routledge

Identity-based approaches to understanding thoughts, feelings, and actions in organizations have produced, particularly in recent years, an array of rich insights that have broadened the domain of organizational behavior. This book brings these insights together in one complete source and uses them collectively to stretch further the boundaries of the discipline. Blake Ashforth accomplishes this... Read more
Contents: A.P. Brief, J.P. Walsh, Series Editors' Foreword. Preface. Roles and Role Transitions. Role Identities. Psychological Motives Aroused by Role Transitions. Attributes of Role Transitions. Role Exit. Role Entry: Situational Context. Role Entry: Individual Dynamics. With M. Fugate, Role Transitions and the Life Span. With G.E. Kreiner, M. Fugate, S.A. Johnson, Micro Role Transitions. Epilogue: Summary and Major Themes.

Biography

Ashforth, Blake

"The chapters are concise and yet thoroughly documented and grounded in the most current research literatures....the author uses interesting examples....the book is provocative and stimulating....this book makes a significant contribution to role theory. It ties together a diverse set of literatures and focuses on an under-explored area: transitions between roles....I guarantee that once you've read the book you will hardly be able to go through your day without thinking about all of those role transitions you are experiencing."
Personnel Psychology

"This book is a very thorough presentation of the role-theory literature, similar in quality to what one would expect in a handbook. Its audience will be researchers and graduate students who are immersed in role-theory development and validation, and it should be considered essential for that audience....this volume is a valuable resource for scholars who want a comprehensive and thoughtful presentation of the role theory literature and how it is integrated with the identity literature."
Administrative Science Quarterly

"In this era of dazzling complexity and protean careers, the game is called survival of the smartest. And the smartest are those who know themselves and know how to transform themselves. These are the ultimate 'metacompetencies': identity and adaptability. Anyone who wants to learn the essentials of identity and personal transformation should read this lucid account of Blake Ashforth's research and his journey through the literature. If research programs were start-ups, I'd want to invest in his!"
Douglas T. Hall
Boston University