Exploring Identity: Where Are We Now?

Abstract

The article presents a commentary on this special edition of “Academy of Management Journal” by an author of one of the articles. The author welcomes the debate and possibilities that this forum offers. In trying to make sense of the issue, the author offers to make some sense of the seemingly different pieces of the identity puzzle and draw some connections and common agreement in identity theory. What differentiates the articles are the perspectives: some look at identity from a macro perspective, some from a micro perspective; some articles take a descriptive approach, some a prescriptive approach. Among the similarities in the articles, the author finds common themes of multiple identity, stakeholder driven dynamics, and leadership roles in identification.