Hierarchical perspective on organizational identity : A comparative case study of two IT-companies located in Oslo

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate how financial and/or employment growth affects the organizational identity in small and medium sized IT-companies located in the Oslo-region. I also aim to point out how organizational identity is viewed differently depending on the hierarchical position and how what impact hierarchy has on values and roles affecting the organizational identity. This comparative case study of previous entrepreneurial companies, view themself in the perspective of organizational identity. The data was collected from in-depth interviews of multiple layers of the hierarchy of four IT-companies and comparable data from three start-up labs. Literature on Organizational Identity has been used as a background material.