Identity Construction in Centenarian Human Service Agencies: Coherence amid Change

Three central and enduring themes related to the construction and reconstruction of the organizational identities of 24 charitable organizations in a Southern city are examined: communicating founding legends, adapting language to the times, and structurally responding to change. These themes within...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Families in society 2011-10, Vol.92 (4), p.364-371
Main Authors: Netting, F. Ellen, O'Connor, Mary Katherine, Fauri, David P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Central Cities
Charitable foundations
Communication
Folklore
Group Identity
Human Services
Identity
Language Shift
Organizational behavior
Organizational Culture
Social services
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Three central and enduring themes related to the construction and reconstruction of the organizational identities of 24 charitable organizations in a Southern city are examined: communicating founding legends, adapting language to the times, and structurally responding to change. These themes within the stories of these organizations are retold throughout their histories, legitimizing their images within their communities and weaving identities into the agencies' coherence. The study reveals the importance of emergent change as accommodations and adaptations occur, the interfacing of multiple identities, and the potential of community images when tied to early identities. Connotations for organization practice and survival depend on sustaining a delicate balance between enduring collective identities and a changing community context.
ISSN:1044-3894
1945-1350
DOI:10.1606/1044-3894.4149