Identity Integration and Innovation

38 Pages Posted: 30 Mar 2007

See all articles by Chi-Ying Cheng

Chi-Ying Cheng

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Department of Psychology

Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Fiona Lee

University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Date Written: March 2007

Abstract

Three studies examined the psychological antecedents and processes related to individual-level innovation. We propose that individuals who can integrate multiple social identities are better at combining knowledge systems associated with each identity, and thus exhibit higher levels of innovation. Three studies, each probing different types of social identities, provide evidence for this proposition. Study 1 showed that Asian American biculturals with high identity integration between their Asian and American identities exhibited higher levels of innovation in creating Asian-American fusion cuisine compared to biculturals with low identity integration. Study 2 showed that women engineers with high identity integration between their gender and professional identities were more innovative than those with low identity integration. Finally, Study 3 showed that innovation among faculty members with two disciplinary affiliations is similarly related to individual differences in identity integration between their disciplinary affiliations. These findings suggest that the psychological management of multiple identities affects individual innovation.

Keywords: Social Identity, Identity Integration, Innovation, Multiple Identities

Suggested Citation

Cheng, Chi-Ying and Sanchez-Burks, Jeffrey and Lee, Fiona, Identity Integration and Innovation (March 2007). Ross School of Business Paper No. 1070, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=973870 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.973870

Chi-Ying Cheng (Contact Author)

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Department of Psychology ( email )

Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States

Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business ( email )

701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI MI 48109
United States

Fiona Lee

University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business ( email )

701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI MI 48109
United States