Crafting and maintaining organizational identity narrative in a temporary organization: The case of Tideway megaproject

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore organizational identity crafting and maintaining processes in a temporary organization where multiple organizations are involved. We collected data using interviews, archival documents, and visual data to study the case of Tideway (Bazalgette Tunnel Limited) in the United Kingdom. A thematic analysis with visual representation was used. Findings provide evidence that both organizational identity crafting and maintaining processes are integrated in temporary organization. We identified five dimensions of organizational identity crafting: encouraging socialization; showing leadership behavior; communicating with internal and external stakeholders; doing citizenship behavior; and developing and implementing legacy strategy. The study also provided evidence of four elements of organizational identity maintaining: hybrid working as the new normal; providing support system; additional resource utilizing; and adapting to the next normal. Our developed model of organizational identity mapping has a number of implications for ongoing research on organizational identity narrative in temporary organizations.