The IPEAC Framework: An essentialist rethinking of Organizational Identity from a foundational approach

Organizational Identity (OI) is a significant concept and a mature domain with theoretical perspectives rooted in diverse disciplines including social sciences and psychology. Research studies and discourse in OI are often focused on conceptual debates over practical applications keeping impact of OI on organizational studies peripheral and limiting the role of identity in management discourse. Our objective is to study ‘identity’ basing on fundamental organizational qualities. Applying human analogy of a conceptual whole, from ancient philosophical principles, this study proposes an identity framework based on an organization’s foundational forms and their elements. The framework categorizes organizational attributes into five composite forms of Intellect, Physical, Energy, Aspiration, and Celebration, as the IPEAC framework. They represent all tangible, intangible and the transient dimensions, attributes and activities of the organization. These forms and their elements establish causal relationships for the emergence, evolution, and management of organizational identities. Unlike the conventional CDE model, IPEAC operationalizes identity as a structured, dynamic and actionable organizational process. It provides a path for studying the creation, aggregation and management of organizational identities for strategic decision making and for fostering competitive advantage. Recognizing the causal elements of identity as independent variables this study enables application of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in identity analysis and paves the way for empirical research in identities and their role in management and strategy. The IPEAC framework integrates identities with organizational dynamics and creates synergy between identities with Management and Organization Studies.