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An Organizational Identity Approach to Strategic Groups

Author

Listed:
  • Vikas Anand

    (Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701)

  • Mahendra Joshi

    (Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504)

  • Anne M. O'Leary-Kelly

    (Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701)

Abstract

We argue that a firm forms three distinct relationships with strategic groups—identification, disidentification, and ambivalent identification. Firms can form any of these relationships with multiple strategic groups, and the set of these relationships comprises a firm's strategic group configuration (SGC). We propose that the nature of a firm's identity influences the characteristics of its SGC. We demonstrate the implications of our model by exploring how a firm's strategic group configuration affects its information-seeking behaviors. Finally, we describe how the SGC framework offers several key implications for this field of research.

Suggested Citation

  • Vikas Anand & Mahendra Joshi & Anne M. O'Leary-Kelly, 2013. "An Organizational Identity Approach to Strategic Groups," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(2), pages 571-590, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:24:y:2013:i:2:p:571-590
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1120.0752
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