History as a Source of Organizational Identity Creation. Issue 12 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oertel, Simon; Thommes, Kirsten
• Other Names: Suddaby Roy guest-editor.; Mordhorst Mads guest-editor.; Popp Andrew guest-editor.; Wadhwani R. Daniel guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Organization studies. Volume 39:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1709
• Page End: 1731
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: identity creation -- identity scripts -- organizational identity -- regional cluster -- rhetorical history; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; Organization -- Periodicals; 302.35
• DOI: 10.1177/0170840618800112
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0170-8406

Abstract

We analysed the self-representation of twelve watchmaking firms located in a cluster in East Germany to understand how they apply rhetorical history to craft their identity. The findings show that there are common elements of rhetorical history that help organizations craft their identity, but there are also differences based on each firm's historical background. While some firms specifically relate their identity to their own history, others mainly employ cluster-level history, while still others may even self-construct fictional historical roots. By discussing these findings, we contribute to a better understanding of how an organization's identity is crafted and how history is utilized in such identity creation.