Managing Boundaries Through Identity Work

Abstract

Drawing on boundary and identity theories, we examine how individuals manage boundaries in family businesses. Using an inductive, qualitative approach based on interviews of 44 individuals in four family businesses, we find organizational members use 13 identity work tactics, collectively labeled social boundary management, to create and manage boundaries for both individual and organizational identities. We illustrate how individuals use identity work tactics to integrate and segment themselves and others between the domains of family and business. Our findings have implications for family business research, boundary theory, and identity theory.