Adaptation and Innovation: Theory, Design and Role-Taking in Group Relations Conferences and their Applications, Volume 2

The notion of identity of an organization or an enterprise answers the questions “who are we?” or “what do we want to be?” The contributors to this volume assume that these two sets of images and definitions—the internal ones and the external ones—are reciprocally influencing each other, both consciously and unconsciously, and are thus related to the formation and development of the organizational identity.

This identity is a dynamic process that evolves and devolves over time and can be a source of some stability and coherence for those who depend on it. It is defined and perceived by its management and members influences continuously its decisions both in the short and in the long run. It is therefore a heuristic concept—like a primary task—that serves as a compass for structuring, designing, managing and planning for the future.