JOURNAL ARTICLE

Managing "Who I Am": An Exploration of Chinese Employees' Identity Tension Management Strategies in MNCs.

  • Published In: Communication Studies, 2024, v. 75, n. 6. P. 963 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Guo, Yijia; Kramer, Michael W. 3 of 3

Abstract

This study explores identity tensions experienced by Chinese employees working in multinational companies (MNCs) in China and how they communicate to organize multiple identities amid these tensions. Through 20 in-depth interviews, four main identity tensions were identified: work-family, task-relational, friend-professional, and cultural-professional conflicts. Participants managed these tensions using two identity structuring models: a holistic model emphasizing integration and synergy among identities, and a kaleidoscope model highlighting fluid, context-dependent alignment and separation of identities. The findings underscore the complexity of identity work in multicultural organizational settings and suggest that MNCs should enhance institutional communication strategies beyond cultural awareness to better support employees' identity management.

Additional Information

  • Source:Communication Studies. 2024/11, Vol. 75, Issue 6, p963
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Business and Management
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:1051-0974
  • DOI:10.1080/10510974.2024.2339564
  • Accession Number:180474194
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Communication Studies is the property of Central States Communication Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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