Reconciling contradictory paths: identity play and work in a career transition

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the interconnection of identity play and identity work during transitions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted a 46-year longitudinal and process-based study on film director Denys Arcand. The focus is on his contested career shift from being a political documentary filmmaker to a box-office success and maker of television commercials. Films and media interviews were largely and systematically analyzed.

Findings

In order to explain how to maintain a sense of authenticity in transitioning between contradictory paths, the authors highlight how identity play and identity work appear in self-fuelling interaction through four processes (fragmenting, developing, mixing, and extracting).

Practical implications

The authors suggest new ways to deal with career transitions as well as identity construction in constraining environments.

Originality/value

The authors offer a theoretical framework that makes it possible to combine understandings of identity play and identity work. In particular, the authors develop on how, through play, individuals can create circumstances favourable for performing identity work in the future.

Citation

Fachin, F.F. and Davel, E. (2015), "Reconciling contradictory paths: identity play and work in a career transition", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 28 No. 3, pp. 369-392. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-01-2014-0012