Moral Conflicts as a Motor of Moral Identity Development at Work
Self-Awareness and Micro Processes in Weekly Experiences
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 18979999 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mari Huhtala (0000-0001-9117-0395, University of Jyväskylä, corresponding author), E Saskia Kunnen (0000-0002-7876-0750, University of Groningen) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 258-276 |
| Publication date | 2019-10-02 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Identity (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1528-3488 • E-ISSN: 1532-706X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/15283488.2019.1670183 |
| OpenAlex | W2977385212 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 28 |
Based on the identity process model, we investigated developmental differences in moral identity between leaders by analyzing their personal experiences of and reactions to actual moral conflicts at work. Using a longitudinal (16-week) qualitative design, we collected weekly moral conflict stories from ten leaders. First, after an inductive exploratory analysis we found that the leaders showed different levels of awareness (descriptive, reflective, and evaluative) with regard to how far they were able to identify their own role, values, feelings, and behaviors in each moral conflict. Second, after a theory-driven analysis, the integrated model of the micro processes of identity development was found applicable to the moral domain: Assimilation, accommodation, and withdrawal were identifiable from the leaders’ reactions to moral conflicts. In addition, we identified subcategories of defensive, self-protective, and morally courageous responses to the conflicts. Leaders were more likely to use a variety of ways to maintain their existing value framework than to show major changes in their personal values. Thus, a prerequisite for moral identity development seems to be the ability to reflect and evaluate one’s moral framework from multiple viewpoints, as this can lead to more flexibility, and eventually, a readiness for change
Feeling · Moral development · Moral disengagement · Moral reasoning · Personal identity · Self-concept · Social cognitive theory of morality · Viewpoints · Cultural Differences and Values · Ego Development and Educational Practices · Ethics in Business and Education · Psychology · Social Psychology
The development of thought
Moral Identity
Moral disengagement in ethical decision making
Diary Studies in Organizational Research
Does Moral Identity Effectively Predict Moral Behavior?
Moral awareness and ethical predispositions
The qualitative content analysis process
What Develops in Moral Identities? A Critical Review
Moral cognition and moral action
Time and identity
Determinants and Mechanisms in Ego Identity Development
Are Conflicts the Motor in Identity Change
The moral self
Age-related differences in moral identity across adulthood
The self-importance of moral identity
An Analysis of Identity Change in Adulthood
Identity and Psychosocial Development in Adulthood
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |