Organizational identity and network identification: relating within and beyond imaginary boundaries

This paper focuses on identity and identification on a network level of analysis. Perceptions of competition and cooperation in relationships arising from such an approach are explored, and the concept of network identification is introduced, with an explicit focus on boundaries that are activated, questioned and moved. At a network level of analysis it is less obvious who are competitors and who are not. In general the approach encourages an enhanced awareness of interdependence and embeddedness, which in turn promotes a more comprehensive sense of belonging and a new perception of goal compatibility. It is suggested that the focus on competition in the terminology of the contemporary business discourse need to be paired with a perception of relations as involving a sense of shared destiny.Identity Identification Networks Competition Cooperation