| In this two-essay qualitative dissertation, I develop theory around two key questions: 1) How do individuals construct work identities in ambiguous, ill-defined, or fluid work contexts, when such contexts offer few resources to help individuals define themselves? And 2) how do authority figures---leaders, managers, professionals---gain legitimacy in the absence of standard legitimating factors, e.g., a proven track record of positive results, subordinate dependence, institutional authorization, or a legitimating ideology? Using a grounded theory methodology, I explore these questions in the context of health coaching, a new, aspiring profession whose members face these very challenges in constructing an individual sense of occupational identity and legitimacy. In the first essay, I develop a conceptual model of identity work in the context of such an identity resource "void." The model suggests relationships between three individual-level stages of identity development, identity challenges, identity work tactics, and a key identity-related outcome (i.e., identity clarity). In the second essay, I develop a theoretical model that speaks to how authority figures can gain internal and external legitimacy when they lack demonstrable evidence of their effectiveness and other markers of legitimacy. In each essay, I discuss implications for both research and practice.;Key words: identity work, professional identity, legitimacy, authority figures, work and occupations, leadership. |
