Identity at Work: Balancing Demographic-related Identity in the Workplace and the Impact on Extra-role Behaviors and Turnover Intentions

People simultaneously hold a multitude of social identifications while at work, some of which are work-related and some of which transcend the workplace. To date, the vast majority of studies on social identities focus on these identities in isolation. Two important identities that transcend the work domain are those associated with gender and ethnicity. These attributes have been widely studied in the workplace, however, there is a lack of understanding in how the identities associated with these attributes (demographic-related identities) have implications for identification in the workplace and work-related outcomes. In this paper, I examine the relationship between perceived threats to these demographic-related identities and work-related attitudes and behavior, specifically turnover intentions, and extra-role behaviors. I also explore moderating (degree of demographic-related identity centrality) and mediating (organizational and workgroup identification) mechanisms in this relationship. Data were collected across two studies. The results demonstrate that perceived threats to demographic-related identities have severe ramifications for work-related identification. The supplemental analysis indicated a direct relationship between demographic-related identity centrality and turnover intentions. Furthermore, demographic-related identity centrality moderated the relationship between perceived threats to demographic-related identity by both the organization and the workgroup on work-related outcomes.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Business, Executive Business Research

Department dc:contributor.department

Business

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Tuskey, Sarah Elizabeth

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Becker, William J.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Carlson, Kevin D.
• Beal, Daniel J.
• Conroy, Samantha A.

• organizational identification
• workgroup identification
• gender identity
• ethnic identity
• identity
• identity threat

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:32023

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/104363