How Blue-Collar Workers Can Enhance Their Negative Social Identity?

Abstract

Relying on Social Identity Theory (SIT), Relative Deprivation Theory (RDT) and System Justification Theory (SJT), this study aims at examining identity enhancement strategies of blue-collar workers who might be described as members of low-status groups having negative social identity. In the scope of this study, individual and collective strategies for identity enhancement of blue-collar workers have been proposed with the support of above mentioned theories. First of all, factors determining identity enhancement strategies have been described. Then, individual mobility conditions were explained and informal workplace learning was suggested as an individual mobility strategy for blue-collar workers to enhance social identity. In addition, it was argued that high self-monitoring blue collars are more likely than low self-monitoring blue collars to use individual mobility strategy. It was also emphasized that through union membership, high identifier blue collars will adopt a collective identity enhancement strategy. Finally, acceptance of low-status strategy was proposed for blue-collar workers in case they perceive their group’s low status as stable and legitimate.

Citation

Kemikkıran, N. (2023), "How Blue-Collar Workers Can Enhance Their Negative Social Identity?", Paliszkiewicz, J. and Varoğlu, D. (Ed.) Management and Organizational Studies on Blue- and Gray-collar Workers: Diversity of Collars (International Perspectives on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 8), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 67-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2051-233320230000008010