Paradoxical Identity: The changing nature of architectural work and its relation to architects' identity

Ahuja, S; Nikolova, N; Clegg, SR

Paradoxical Identity: The changing nature of architectural work and its relation to architects' identity

Ahuja, S

Nikolova, N

Clegg, SR

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Professions and Organization, 2017, 4 (1), pp. 2 - 19 (17)
Issue Date:: 2017-01-20

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ahuja, S https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0841-7671	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Nikolova, N https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5916-3822	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Clegg, SR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6083-4283	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-01-20	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Professions and Organization, 2017, 4 (1), pp. 2 - 19 (17)	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	2051-8803	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/77449
dc.description.abstract	In this article, we explore what happens in professional formation when the locus of its meaning, as it has been formed, is increasingly contradicted by professional practice. Specifically, we explore the problematic nature of architects’ professional identity that is constituted in terms of the primacy of design aesthetics, in contexts where practice denies this identification. We highlight the tensions between identity and practices and suggest that while architects’ traditional self-identification enables perpetuation of the profession’s identity, it challenges the profession’s standing in its relations with other professions and occupations. We refer to this as a paradox of identity. Although much has been written about the profound changes occurring in professional practices and professional jurisdictions, scant attention has been given to the ways in which professionals shape their identities in the context of changing practices. We conducted a year-long ethnography of contemporary architects engaged in large and complex projects in order to examine both the architects’ and the profession’s identity. Our contributions are threefold. First, we conceptualize misalignments between professional identity and professional practice as identity paradox that has consequences for identity work among professionals. Second, we highlight how professional identity construction is organized around competing and paradoxical identification. Third, the article contributes to sociological studies of architecture by generating insights about the identity work of architects engaged in large multi-organizational projects.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Professions and Organization	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1093/jpo/jow013	en_US
dc.title	Paradoxical Identity: The changing nature of architectural work and its relation to architects' identity	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.for	1503 Business and Management	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.consider-herdc	true	en_US
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	4	en_US

Abstract:

In this article, we explore what happens in professional formation when the locus of its meaning, as it has been formed, is increasingly contradicted by professional practice. Specifically, we explore the problematic nature of architects’ professional identity that is constituted in terms of the primacy of design aesthetics, in contexts where practice denies this identification. We highlight the tensions between identity and practices and suggest that while architects’ traditional self-identification enables perpetuation of the profession’s identity, it challenges the profession’s standing in its relations with other professions and occupations. We refer to this as a paradox of identity. Although much has been written about the profound changes occurring in professional practices and professional jurisdictions, scant attention has been given to the ways in which professionals shape their identities in the context of changing practices. We conducted a year-long ethnography of contemporary architects engaged in large and complex projects in order to examine both the architects’ and the profession’s identity. Our contributions are threefold. First, we conceptualize misalignments between professional identity and professional practice as identity paradox that has consequences for identity work among professionals. Second, we highlight how professional identity construction is organized around competing and paradoxical identification. Third, the article contributes to sociological studies of architecture by generating insights about the identity work of architects engaged in large multi-organizational projects.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/77449