The Role of Motivation and Role Models in

Identity Construction Process: Narratives of

Celebrity Restaurateurs

Magdalena Markowska &

Friederike Welter

Rhetoric & Narratives in Management Research Conference

Barcelona - March 25-27, 2013

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Motivation

• Identity construction is of central importance to understanding

how individuals enact environment to be able to achieve their

goals (Farmer, Yao, & Kung-Mcintyre, 2011).

• Identity construction is the process of internalizing self-views

emerging from identification with particular role(s)

• Entrepreneurial identity construction reflects the adjustment

towards emerging aspirations of becoming an entrepreneur in

order to provide fit with the changing life goals (Thornborrow & Brown,

2009).

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Research Problem

• Achievement motivation drives individual action.

• Individuals engage in continuous identity construction and re-

construction by adapting their narratives about self

• Narratives give meaning to the events, actions and objects.

BUT

How does achievement motivation affect the

process of identity formation?

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Conceptual Framework

We use the Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT),

which suggests that individuals are driven simultaneously

by:

the need for belonging and

the need for distinctiveness

To create a congruent identity individuals engage in

balancing these two needs.

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What we do…

(1) We analyse and compare how the stories change over time:

orientation (setting and the character),

abstract (summarizes the events or incidents of the story),

complicating action (evaluative commentary on the events) and

resolution/outcomes of the story or conflict

(2) We explore what is the role of achievement motivation in this

process

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o Purposive sampling

• 5 cases of gourmet restaurateurs

• available published sources

• variance in level of expertise and focus

o Narrative approach

• Suitable to discuss stories of lived experience

• When unfolding process is important

• Stories written are value laden, they give meaning to the events,

actions and objects

Method

Source Genre Focus on… Purpose Learning

(Blumenthal, 2007) Reflective cookbook Expert chef Searching for the perfect recipe for

a number of classic dishes

Deliberate practice, attention to

details, searching for perfection

(Blumenthal, 2010) Culinary adventure

story

Expert chef Capture the creativity process and

search for perfection

Experimentation, cooperation,

passion, understanding roots

(Buford, 2007) Self-reflection &

biographic description

Expert chef, Novice chef Present a profile of a renowned

chef & describe the way towards

this status

Consistency under pressure,

repetition

(Chelminski, 2006) Biography of a chef From novice to expert

chef

Capture the life & work of

Bernard Loiseau as well as the

development of Nouvelle Cuisine

Searching for perfection –

attention to details, focus on

marketing & PR

Redzepi (2010) Reflective cookbook From experienced to

expert

The story of the Nordic cuisine

and the noma restaurant Freeing oneself from past

learning

(Ruhlman, 2000) Essay From novice to expert

chef

What distinguishes a great chef

from an average one?

Passion, attention to details

(Ruhlman, 2009) Ethnography & self-

reflection

Novice chef What is the essence of becoming a

chef?

Basic skills, ratios, passion,

(Keller, 2009) Reflective cookbook From novice to

experienced

How to become a better home

cook?

Precision, repetition,

experimentation

Narrative Sources

Findings (1) – Crafting the identity stories

• The self-narratives help entrepreneurs construct the desired

identities

• The level of effort put into construction of desired identity

depends on the salience and level of identification with the

identity.

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“Like most chefs I’m competitive

and I like to get stuff right. I like

to master technical details and

practical problems.”

“I like to be talked

positively about.”

Findings (2) – Dominant elements in the identity stories

• Framing goals as learning goals is likely to emphasize the need

for distinctiveness and thus stress these aspects in the self-

narratives,

• Framing goals as performance goals is likely to result in more

need for belonging and thus emphasis on the aspects of the

identity that offer similarity to others.

• Identification with role models facilitates emphasis on the similar

aspects of the identity, especially early on in the career.

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o Exploring sources of motivation

• Individuals setting performance goals seek comparison with their

role models to in order to show that they can attain similar level

of performance

• Individuals setting learning goals seek role models to be able to

acquire higher level of competence

o Choosing the profession

• Performance oriented individuals emphasize the possibility to

obtain external recognition or need to prove oneself.

• Learning oriented individuals emphasize the constant possibility

to challenge oneself as a rationale for becoming the restaurateur

Findings (3) – Role models and identity work

Preliminary conclusion & future research

• Career stage, legitimacy seeking & identity work

• Self-identity and “Fremdidentitaet”, i.e. the identity displayed

towards society.

• Celebrity aspect

• Cultural context

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Thank you!

Any questions? Comments?

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