Imaging the organization: Language use in organizational identity claims

Bing Ran, P. Robert Duimering

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article investigates the cognitive linguistic processes involved in organizational identity construction through language-based identity claims. The organizational imaging process constructs an organization's identity in relation to a system of positively and negatively valued conceptual categories. It involves using language to establish a classification scheme and to define the organization within this scheme. The authors develop a framework for identifying these cognitive linguistic processes based on a grounded-theory study of language use in corporate mission statements. Their findings contribute to a deeper understanding of language's role in organizational identity construction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)155-187
Number of pages33
JournalJournal of Business and Technical Communication
Volume21
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Business and International Management
  • Communication
  • General Business, Management and Accounting

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