Identity work and consumption in consultancy firms

Abstract

This thesis takes the role of consumption as a lens to study how employees of a consultancy firm engage in identity work. It argues that the existing literature explaining the relationship between organizational identity and identity work is limited. This study suggests that consumption as a construct enables an explanation of the aforementioned relationship. Particularly findings from this study suggest that consumption: (i) fosters homology between consultants and clients (ii), consultants use consumption as a resource to construct a sense of identity as well as to do work, (iii) suggest that consultants' consumption practices are influenced by the organizational identity, and, (iv) organizational identity is refined through employee consumption practices. This thesis concludes by discussing the importance of consumption to organizational identity and identity work, as well as areas for future research.