“Who am I?”- 21
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teller to “tell his or her story,” they do not simply (re)produce dominant meanings, but
reflexively participate in their negotiation and “fixedness.”
Organization as Context
As observed by Rifkin (1995) and Reich (1991, 2000), globalization and technological
advancements are changing the practices of work. Work no longer is confined by the physical
location of the organization, as many individuals are choosing to work from home or are
involved with interdepartmental, multinational or inter-organizational workgroups, or by time, as
workers can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Work has also begun to consume many
activities and functions provided by other social institutions like the family, religious
organizations and community groups. As Hochschild (1997) observed, for many individuals,
work provides a challenging environment where they are valued, recognized and awarded
through their relationships, whereas home does not. “Work life is more predictable, more
rewarding as the associations at work prove to be more emotionally supportive than relationships
at home” (Hochschild, 1997, p. 152). Talking about other social activities in terms of work (i.e.
relationships are a lot of work!) obscures the omnipresence and our everyday understanding of
the concept. For Goffman (1959, 1967, 1972), our participation within a world of social others
requires the everyday work of self-presentation. Understanding work as a context simplifies its
complexity and its relationship between self and identity. Communication theories need to take
account that work not only takes place within the confines of organizational boundaries but also
is meaningful within the larger discourses of identity and human activity.
Convention