Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Organizational and Corporate Identity Revisited: Toward a Comprehensive Understanding of Identity in Business

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Corporate Reputation Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose – This paper provides a comprehensive and integrative review of academic literature analyzing identity in business. The literature review proposed by the authors helps clearing up theoretical and practical understanding of this concept. Design/methodology/approach – A review of existing literature in organizational behavior and marketing fields is proposed to clarify the meaning of organizational and corporate identity. On the basis of this review, the authors also identify an integrative perspective proposed for managers to identify and effectively manage all dimensions of their business identities. Findings – Literature on the identity of businesses is extensive and blurred, failing to provide useful guidance for practitioners to manage this concept. A new approach proposes understanding this kind of identity as a global concept that integrates proposals from diverse research fields in order to take advantage of cross-fertilization. Practical implications – This research allows identity and communication managers to understand dimensions of business identity for a more effective management of this concept in their organizations. Originality/value – The line of research that proposes an integrative multidisciplinary approach to the study of identity in business is quite new and, as so, it still needs further contributions to clarify this nascent domain. In this paper, the authors also classify previous studies on business identity according to the theoretical approach they assume just as no other research has done before.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aaker, J. L. (1997) ‘Dimensions of brand personality’, Journal of Marketing Research, 34 (3), 347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abratt, R. (1989) ‘A new approach to the corporate image management process’, Journal of Marketing Management, 5 (1), 63–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albert, S. and Whetten, D. A. (1985) ‘Organizational identity’, Research in Organizational Behavior, 7, 263–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alessandri, S. W. and Alessandri, T. (2004) ‘Promoting and protecting corporate identity: The importance of organizational and industry context’, Corporate Reputation Review, 7 (3), 252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Argenti, P. A. and Druckenmiller, B. (2004) ‘Reputation and the corporate brand’, Corporate Reputation Review, 6 (4), 368–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B. E. and Mael, F. (1989) ‘Social identity theory and the organization’, The Academy of Management Review, 14 (1), 20–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (1994) ‘The BBC’s corporate identity: Myth, paradox or reality’, Journal of General Management, 19 (3), 33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (1995) ‘Corporate branding and connoisseurship’, Journal of General Management, 21 (1), 24–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (1998) ‘Corporate identity and the advent of corporate marketing’, Journal of Marketing Management, 14 (8), 963–996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2001a) ‘Corporate identity, corporate branding and corporate marketing – Seeing through the fog’, European Journal of Marketing, 35 (3/4), 248–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2001b) ‘From the Pentagon: A new identity framework’, Corporate Reputation Review, 4 (1), 11–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2002) ‘Of identities lost and found’, International Studies of Management and Organization, 32 (3), 10–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2005) ‘Corporate brand cultures and communities’, in J.E. Schroeder and M. Salzer-Morling (eds.), Brand Culture, Routledge, London, pp. 34–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2008) ‘Identity based views of the corporation’, European Journal of Marketing, 42 (9/10), 879–906.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2009) ‘Corporate marketing: Apocalypse, advent and epiphany’, Management Decision, 47 (4), 544–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T., Stuart, H. and Greyser, S. A. (2009) ‘Aligning identity and strategy: Corporate branding at British Airways in the late 20th century’, California Management Review, 51 (3), 6–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2011) ‘Corporate marketing myopia and the inexorable rise of a corporate marketing logic. Perspectives from identity-based views of the firm’, European Journal of Marketing, 45 (9–10), 1329–1352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (2012) ‘Corporate brand management imperatives: Custodianship, credibility and calibration’, California Management Review, 54 (3), 6–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. and Wilkinson, A. (1991) ‘Building societies: Change, strategy and corporate identity’, Journal of General Management, 17 (2), 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. and Wilson, A. (1998) ‘Corporate identity: There is more to it than meets the eye’, International Studies of Management & Organization, 28 (3), 12–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. and Soenen, G. B. (1999) ‘The ACID test of corporate identity management™’, Journal of Marketing Management, 15 (1–3), 69–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. and Greyser, S. A. (2003) Revealing the Corporation: Perspectives on Identity, Image, Reputation, Corporate Branding, and Corporate-Level Marketing, Routledge, London.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. and Greyser, S. A. (2006) ‘Corporate marketing: Integrating corporate identity, corporate branding, corporate communications, corporate image and corporate reputation’, European Journal of Marketing, 40 (7/8), 730–741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T., Stuart, H. and Greyser, S. A. (2005) ‘Aligning identity and strategy: Corporate branding at British Airways in the late 20th century’, California Management Review, 51 (3), 6–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T., Powell, S. M. and Greyser, S. A. (2011) ‘Explicating ethical corporate marketing. Insights from the BP Deepwater Horizon catastrophe: The ethical brand that exploded and then imploded’, Journal of Business Ethics, 102 (1), 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belch, G. E. and Belch, M. A. (1987) ‘The application of an expectancy value operationalization of function theory to examine attitudes of boycotters and nonboycotters of a consumer product’, Advances in Consumer Research, 14 (1), 232–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergami, M. and Bagozzi, R. P. (2000) ‘Self-categorization, affective commitment and group self-esteem as distinct aspects of social identity in the organization’, British Journal of Social Psychology, 39 (4), 555–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya, C. B. and Sen, S. (2003) ‘Consumer-company identification: A framework for understanding consumers’ relationships with companies’, Journal of Marketing, 67 (2), 76–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birkigt, K. and Stadler, M. M. (1986) Corporate Identity. Grundlagen, Funktionen und Beispielen, Verlag Moderne Industrie, Landsberg an Lech.

    Google Scholar 

  • Branscombe, N. R. and Wann, D. L. (1994) ‘Collective self-esteem consequences of outgroup derogation when a valued social identity is on trial’, European Journal of Social Psychology, 24 (6), 641–657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brewer, M. B. (1991) ‘The social self – On being the same and different at the same time’, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 17 (5), 475–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley, D. B. (2000) ‘Psychological aspects of corporate identity, image and reputation’, Corporate Reputation Review, 3 (3), 240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley, D. B. (2001) ‘Relationships between personal and corporate reputation’, European Journal of Marketing, 35 (3/4), 316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, M. E. (1969) ‘Identification and some conditions of organizational involvement’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 14 (3), 346–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T. J., Dacin, P. A., Pratt, M. G. and Whetten, D. A. (2006) ‘Identity, intended image, construed image, and reputation: An interdisciplinary framework and suggested terminology’, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 34 (2), 99–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, D. E. (1982) Designing Corporate Identity Programs for Small Corporations, Art Direction Company, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chajet, C. and Schatman, T. (1993) Image by Design, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, L. T. and Askegaard, S. (2001) ‘Corporate identity and corporate image revisited – A semiotic perspective’, European Journal of Marketing, 35 (3/4), 292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chun, R. and Davies, G. (2001) ‘E-reputation: The role of mission and vision statements in positioning strategy’, Journal of Brand Management, 8 (4), 315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen, J. P. (2000) ‘Corporate image: An audience centred model’, Corporate Communications, 5 (2), 119–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen, J. P. and Elving, W. J. L. (2003) ‘Managing corporate identity: An integrative framework of dimensions and determinants’, Corporate Communications, 8 (2), 114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen, J. P., Haslam, S. A. and Balmer, J. M. T. (2007) ‘Social identity, organizational identity and corporate identity: Towards an integrated understanding of processes, patternings and products’, British Journal of Management, 18 (S1), S1–S16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dacin, P. A. and Brown, T. J. (2002) ‘Corporate identity and corporate associations: A framework for future research’, Corporate Reputation Review, 5 (2/3), 254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, G., Chun, R., Silva, R. V. D. and Roper, S. (2001) ‘The personification metaphor as a measurement approach for corporate reputation’, Corporate Reputation Review, 4 (2), 113–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Chernatony, L. and Harris, F. (2000) ‘Developing corporate brands through considering internal and external stakeholders’, Corporate Reputation Review, 3 (3), 268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deegan, C., Rankin, M. and Voght, P. (1999) Firms’ disclosure reactions to major social incidents: Australian evidence. Proceedings of the 22nd European Accounting Association Congress, Burdeaux.

  • Dhalla, R. (2007) ‘The construction of organizational identity: Key contributing external and intra-organizational factors’, Corporate Reputation Review, 10 (4), 245–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doosje, B., Ellemers, N. and Spears, R. (1995) ‘Perceived intragroup variability as a function of group status and identification’, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 31 (5), 410–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, G. R. (1994) Corporate Reputations: Strategies for Developing the Corporate Brand, Kogan Page, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, J. E. and Dukerich, J. M. (1991) ‘Keeping an eye on the mirror: Image and identity in organizational adaptation’, Academy of Management Journal, 34 (3), 517–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, J. E., Dukerich, J. M. and Harquail, C. V. (1994) ‘Organizational images and member identification’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 39 (2), 239–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellemers, N. and van Rijswijk, W. (1997) ‘Identity needs versus social opportunities: The use of group-level and individual-level identity management strategies as a function of relative group size, status, and ingroup identification’, Social Psychology Quarterly, 60 (1), 52–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellemers, N., Kortekaas, P. and Ouwerkerk, J. W. (1999) ‘Self-categorisation, commitment to the group and group self-esteem as related but distinct aspects of social identity’, European Journal of Social Psychology, 29 (2–3), 371–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun, C. J. (1996) Reputation: Realizing Value from the Corporate Image, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun, C. J. and van Riel, C. B. M. (2004) Fame and Fortune, Financial Times/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gioia, D. A. (1998) ‘From individual to organizational identity’, Identity in Organizations: Building Theory Through Conversations, 11, 17–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gioia, D. A., Thomas, J. B., Clark, S. M. and Chittipeddi, K. (1994) ‘Symbolism and strategic change in academia: The dynamics of sensemaking and influence’, Organization Science, 5 (3), 363–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorb, P. (1992) ‘The psychology of corporate identity’, European Management Journal, 10 (3), 310–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. and Balmer, J. (1998) ‘Managing image and corporate reputation’, Long Range Planning, 31 (5), 685–692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. T., Schneider, B. and Nygren, H. T. (1970) ‘Personal factors in organizational identification’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 15 (2), 176–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, M. J. and Schultz, M. (1997) ‘Relations between organizational culture, identity and image’, European Journal of Marketing, 31 (5/6), 356–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, M. J. and Schultz, M. (2002) ‘The dynamics of organizational identity’, Human Relations, 55 (8), 989–1018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, H. and Balmer, J. M. T. (2005) ‘The saliency and significance of generic identity: An explanatory study of UK building societies’, The International Journal of Bank Marketing, 23 (4/5), 334–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, H. W. and Balmer, J. M. T. (2007) ‘Identity studies: Multiple perspectives and implications for corporate-level marketing’, European Journal of Marketing, 41 (7/8), 765–785.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogg, M. A. and Abrams, D. (1998) Social Identifications: A Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations and Group Processes, Routledge, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogg, M. A. and Terry, D. J. (2000) ‘Social identity and self-categorization processes in organizational contexts’, The Academy of Management Review, 25 (1), 121–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogg, M. A., Terry, D. J. and White, K. M. (1995) ‘A tale of two theories: A critical comparison of identity theory with social identity theory’, Social Psychology Quarterly, 58 (4), 255–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtzhausen, L. and Fourie, L. (2008) ‘Communicating to a diverse workforce’, Corporate Communications, 13 (1), 80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooghiemstra, R. (2000) ‘Corporate communication and impression management – New perspectives why companies engage in corporate social reporting’, Journal of Business Ethics, 27 (1/2), 55–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Illia, L. and Balmer, J. M. T. (2012) ‘Corporate communication and corporate marketing’, Corporate Communications, 17 (4), 415–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingenhoff, D. and Fuhrer, T. (2010) ‘Positioning and differentiation by using brand personality attributes’, Corporate Communications, 15 (1), 83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeyavelu, S. (2009) ‘Organisational identity dissonance in organisational decline and turnaround’, Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 13 (2), 33–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karaosmanoglu, E. and Melewar, T. C. (2006) ‘Corporate communications, identity and image: A research agenda’, Journal of Brand Management, 14 (1/2), 196–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. and Hatcher, C. (2009) ‘Monitoring and regulating corporate identities using the balanced scorecard’, Journal of Communication Management, 13 (2), 116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korver, F. and van Ruler, B. (2003) ‘The relationship between corporate identity structures and communication structures’, Journal of Communication Management, 7 (3), 197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kreiner, G. E. and Ashforth, B. E. (2004) ‘Evidence toward an expanded model of organizational identification’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 25 (1), 1–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leitch, S. and Motion, J. (1999) ‘Multiplicity in corporate identity strategy’, Corporate Communications, 4 (4), 193–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenstein, D. R., Drumwright, M. E. and Braig, B. M. (2004) ‘The effect of corporate social responsibility on customer donations to corporate-supported nonprofits’, Journal of Marketing, 68 (4), 16–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lippincott, J. G. and Margulies, W. P. (1957) ‘The corporate look: A problem in design’, Public Relations Journal, 13, 4–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mael, F. and Ashforth, B. E. (1992) ‘Alumni and their alma mater: A partial test of the reformulated model of organizational identification’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13 (2), 103–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margulies, W. P. (1977) ‘Make the most of your corporate identity’, Harvard Business Review, 55 (4), 66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marín, L. and Ruiz, S. (2007) ‘“I need you too!” Corporate identity attractiveness for consumers and the role of social responsibility’, Journal of Business Ethics, 71 (3), 245–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markwick, N. and Fill, C. (1997) ‘Towards a framework for managing corporate identity’, European Journal of Marketing, 31 (5/6), 396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C. and Saunders, J. (2000) ‘Global corporate visual identity systems: Using an extended marketing mix’, European Journal of Marketing, 34 (5/6), 538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C. and Storrie, T. (2001) ‘Corporate identity in the service sector’, Public Relations Quarterly, 46 (2), 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C. and Wooldridge, A. R. (2001) ‘The dynamics of corporate identity: A review of a process model’, Journal of Communication Management, 5 (4), 327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C. and Jenkins, E. (2002) ‘Defining the corporate identity construct’, Corporate Reputation Review, 5 (1), 76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C. and Karaosmanoglu, E. (2006) ‘Seven dimensions of corporate identity’, European Journal of Marketing, 40 (7/8), 846–869.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C., Bassett, K. and Simões, C. (2006) ‘The role of communication and visual identity in modern organisations’, Corporate Communications, 11 (2), 138–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moingeon, B. (1999) ‘From corporate culture to corporate identity’, Corporate Reputation Review, 2 (4), 352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moingeon, B. and Ramanantsoa, B. (1997) ‘Understanding corporate identity: The French school of thought’, European Journal of Marketing, 31 (5/6), 383–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oakes, P. J., Haslam, S. A. and Turner, J. C. (1993) Stereotyping and Social Reality, John Wiley & Sons/Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okazaki, S. (2006) ‘Excitement or sophistication? A preliminary exploration of online brand personality’, International Marketing Review, 23 (3), 279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olins, W. (1978) The Corporate Personality: An Inquiry into the Nature of Corporate Identity, Design Council, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olins, W. (1989) Corporate Identity: Making Business Strategy Visible Through Design, Thames and Hudson, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olins, W. (1995) The New Guide to Identity – Wolff Olins, Gower, Hampshire.

    Google Scholar 

  • Otubanjo, B. O. and Melewar, T. C. (2007) ‘Understanding the meaning of corporate identity: A conceptual and semiological approach’, Corporate Communications, 12 (4), 414–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, S., Elving, W. J. L., Dodd, C. and Sloan, J. (2009) ‘Explicating ethical corporate identity in the financial sector’, Corporate Communications, 14 (4), 440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price, K. N., Gioia, D. A. and Corley, K. G. (2008) ‘Reconciling scattered images’, Journal of Management Inquiry, 17 (3), 173–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ravasi, D. and van Rekom, J. (2003) ‘Academic research key issues in organizational identity and identification theory’, Corporate Reputation Review, 6 (2), 118–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reitter, R. and Ramanantsoa, B. (1985) Povoir et politique. Au dèla de la cultuire d’enterprise, McGraw-Hill, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, K. (1996) The Quest for Identity: Corporate Identity, Strategies, Methods and Examples, Thomson Learning, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, B. H., Simonson, A. and Marcus, J. (1995) ‘Managing corporate image and identity’, Long Range Planning, 28 (5), 82–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, M., Hatch, M. J. and Larsen, M. H. (2000) The Expressive Organization: Linking Identity, Reputation, and the Corporate Brand, Oxford University Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, S. G. and Lane, V. R. (2000) ‘A stakeholder approach to organizational identity’, The Academy of Management Review, 25 (1), 43–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selame, E. and Selame, J. (1975) Developing a Corporate Identity: How to Stand Out in the Crowd, John Wiley & Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Souiden, N., Kassim, N. M. and Hong, H. (2006) ‘The effect of corporate branding dimensions on consumers’ product evaluation: A cross-cultural analysis’, European Journal of Marketing, 40 (7/8), 825–845.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, H. (1999) ‘Towards a definitive model of the corporate identity management process’, Corporate Communications, 4 (4), 200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel, H. (1978) Differentiation Between Social Groups, Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel, H. (1984) The Social Dimension: European Developments in Social Psychology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel, H. and Turner, J. C. (1979) ‘An integrative theory of intergroup conflict’, in, W. Austin and S. Worchel (eds.), The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations, Brooks-Cole, Monterrey, pp. 33–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel, H. and Turner, J. C. (1986) ‘The social identity theory on intergroup behavior’, in, S. Worchel and W. G. Austin (eds.), Psychology of Intergroup Relations, Nelson-Hall, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Topalian, A. (1984) ‘Corporate identity: Beyond the visual overstatements’, International Journal of Advertising, 3 (1), 55–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. C. (1982) ‘Towards a cognitive redefinition of the social group’, in, H. Tajfel (ed.), Social identity and Intergroup Relations, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. C. (1991) Social Influence, Open University Press, Buckingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. C., Hogg, M. A., Oakes, P. J., Reicher, S. D. and Wetherell, M. S. (1987) Rediscovering the Social Group: A Self-categorization Theory, Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Rekom, J. (1997) ‘Deriving an operational measure of corporate identity’, European Journal of Marketing, 31 (5/6), 410–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Rekom, J., Corley, K. and Ravasi, D. (2008) ‘Extending and advancing theories of organizational identity’, Corporate Reputation Review, 11 (3), 183–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Riel, C. B. M. (1995) Principles of Corporate Communication, Prentice Hall, Hemel Hempstead.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Riel, C. B. M. and Balmer, J. M. T. (1997) ‘Corporate identity: The concept, its measurement and management’, European Journal of Marketing, 31 (5/6), 340–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Riel, C. B. M. and Fombrun, C. J. (2007) Essentials of Corporate Communication, Routledge, New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, K. (2010) ‘A systematic review of the corporate reputation literature: Definition, measurement, and theory’, Corporate Reputation Review, 12 (4), 357–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whetten, D. A. (2006) ‘Albert and Whetten revisited: Strengthening the concept of organizational identity’, Journal of Management Inquiry, 15 (3), 219–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarebska, A. (2010) ‘Practical problems of managing corporate identity of capital structures in Poland’, The International Business & Economics Research Journal, 9 (1), 9.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros, Santander, Spain

    Andrea Pérez & Ignacio Rodríguez del Bosque

Authors
  1. Andrea Pérez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ignacio Rodríguez del Bosque
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Appendix

Appendix

Appendix A review of academic proposals for the definition of corporate identity is included in Table A1 .

Table A1 Definitions of identity
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pérez, A., del Bosque, I. Organizational and Corporate Identity Revisited: Toward a Comprehensive Understanding of Identity in Business. Corp Reputation Rev 17, 3–27 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1057/crr.2013.22

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/crr.2013.22

Keywords

Search

Navigation