Identity Work in Interdependent Professional Groups: The Role of a Target Identity in Enterprise Systems Implementation

Powerful new technologies in the workplace are significantly changing what employees do and how they depend on others. Key tasks that professionals regard as core to their job are automated, forcing entire professional groups to reconsider their identity within their organization. In doing so, professional groups can either feel threatened and resist new technology or develop enhanced role identities that they pursue using the technology. Our study of financial accountants and management accountants shows how managers can help employees develop enhanced role identities and become more satisfied with their jobs. Managers should ensure that each professional group has early and concrete experiences with how new technology helps them perform new, value-added tasks that are consistent with their sense of who they are as professionals in the organization. However, management must also consider how different organizational functions and professional groups will work together in light of new technology. During the technology implementation process, managers and consultants should foster intensive exchange and critical discussion among interdependent professional groups to facilitate an open renegotiation of which professional group takes on which of the existing and new organizational tasks.