Issues of Identity in Collaborations Among Creative Professionals: A Study of Toy Designers

50 Pages Posted: 4 Nov 2008

See all articles by Kimberly Elsbach

Kimberly Elsbach

University of California, Davis - Graduate School of Management

Francis J. Flynn

Columbia University - Columbia Business School

Date Written: September 4, 2008

Abstract

Drawing on a four-year, qualitative study of toy designers in a large U.S. corporation, we examined the relationship between professional identity and informal collaboration among creative workers. Our findings revealed that toy designers' professional identities were defined primarily by person-based (vs. role-based) categorizations and that only a minority of designers' identities resembled stereotypes of creative artists. Further, our findings showed how informal idea giving and idea taking behaviors affirmed or threatened distinct identity categorizations of toy designers. In general, idea taking behaviors were more threatening than idea giving to these designers' professional identities, and designers often refused to collaborate as a response to identity threats. We discuss the implications of these findings for theories of collaboration and professional identity and offer an extended framework of professional identity management.

Suggested Citation

Elsbach, Kimberly and Flynn, Francis J., Issues of Identity in Collaborations Among Creative Professionals: A Study of Toy Designers (September 4, 2008). UC Davis Graduate School of Management Research Paper No. 09-08, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1295007 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1295007

Kimberly Elsbach (Contact Author)

University of California, Davis - Graduate School of Management ( email )

One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
United States
530-752-0910 (Phone)

Francis J. Flynn

Columbia University - Columbia Business School ( email )

3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States

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