Identities in transition: the case of emerging market multinational corporations and its response to glocalisation

ABSTRACT

In this article, we critically review the extant literature and develop a conceptual framework for a sophisticated understanding of the multiple levels of influences that shape the nature and extent of ‘organisational identity’, a topical, multi-disciplinary and important area. We contribute by identifying and noting, both, the common theoretical and practical influences that shape an organisation’s identity especially maintaining the focus in relation to emerging market multinationals and its response to glocalisation. Our review and framework also points to the most common explanations that are evident in this cross-disciplinary field and points to the gaps and novel sets of identity influences that are needed to be unbundled and demystified in this arena, as several of these influences exist in practice, though they are not adequately studied through the lenses of organisational identity. We classify areas for future research based on recent contributions to the field and list identified gaps to invite further scholarship in this critical area of study and practice.