The comprehensive, twofold goal of this paper is to investigate how social identities in a multilayered social platform of a public hospital are shaped, and to explain the impact of these identities on staff interrelations, patients, and the organization's overall ability to meet challenges. We conducted a qualitative study, collecting data from 30 employees working in a medium-sized public hospital in Israel using a semi-structured interview guide. Using a thematic analysis approach and drawing on social identity theory, we found that departmental identity is the most prominent social identity associated with the hospital staff. This identity was strengthened by strong in-group management, but little influenced by senior out-group management; its importance also caused organizational goals to be overlooked. We discuss these findings and offer recommendations for addressing the adverse impacts of departmental identity on staff, patients, and the organization's ability to meet challenges. This study has clarified sources and impacts of social identity in a hospital context, and it has demonstrated the need for a more unified hospital identity to improve daily work and achieve the organization's goals in a dynamic, competitive environment. By adopting a qualitative approach, the study provides a deeper understanding of how senior management and direct in-group management can shape social identities—a perspective heretofore missing from the research.
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Social Identity in a Public Hospital — exploring sources and outcomes of social identity among hospital staff, and how group membership shapes workplace behavior.
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Shnapper-Cohen, M., Dolev, N., & Itzkovich, Y. (2023). Social identity in a public hospital: Sources, outcomes, and possible resolutions. Current Psychology, 42(16), 13975-13986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02729-4
Shnapper-Cohen, M., et al. "Social identity in a public hospital: Sources, outcomes, and possible resolutions." Current Psychology, vol. 42, no. 16, 2023, pp. 13975-13986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02729-4.
Shnapper-Cohen, M., N. Dolev, and Y. Itzkovich. 2023. "Social identity in a public hospital: Sources, outcomes, and possible resolutions." Current Psychology 42 (16): 13975-13986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02729-4.
@article{shnapper-cohen2023,
title = {Social identity in a public hospital: Sources, outcomes, and possible resolutions},
author = {Shnapper-Cohen, M. and Dolev, N. and Itzkovich, Y.},
journal = {Current Psychology},
year = {2023},
volume = {42},
number = {16},
pages = {13975-13986},
doi = {10.1007/s12144-022-02729-4}
}