Identity Struggles

This collection provides a kaleidoscopic view of a range of identity struggles in the workplace context. It features twenty-two case studies that present an eclectic mix of workplaces in different socio-cultural contexts. They include, among others, household workers in Peru and Hong Kong, female professionals in India and the UK, social workers in Botswana and on Canadian reserves, tourist guides in Europe and construction workers in New Zealand. The volume addresses important questions on professional competence, group membership, (sometimes competing) expectations, and identity boundaries. The chapters establish that identity struggles are a reflection of issues of knowledge, competing norms and attempts for social change.

Miriam A. Locher, University of Basel:
Identity Struggles offers a refined view of how interactants negotiate their roles in the workplace. Generally following a constructivist approach to identity construction, it draws on a rich set of methodological and theoretical approaches and offers insights derived from the study of an impressive range of cultural and linguistic contexts. It is a must-read for scholars of workplace interaction and analysts interested in the intricate interplay of language and action resulting in interpersonal effects.