A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Professional identity in changing workplaces : Why it matters, when it becomes emotionally imbued, and how to support its agentic negotiations (2022)

Vähäsantanen, K. (2022). Professional identity in changing workplaces : Why it matters, when it becomes emotionally imbued, and how to support its agentic negotiations. In C. Harteis, D. Gijbels, & E. Kyndt (Eds.), Research Approaches on Workplace Learning : Insights from a Growing Field (pp. 29-46). Springer International Publishing. Professional and Practice-based Learning, 31. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89582-2_2

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Vähäsantanen, Katja

Parent publication: Research Approaches on Workplace Learning : Insights from a Growing Field

Parent publication editors: Harteis, Christian; Gijbels, David; Kyndt, Eva

ISBN: 978-3-030-89581-5

eISBN: 978-3-030-89582-2

Journal or series: Professional and Practice-based Learning

ISSN: 2210-5549

eISSN: 2210-5557

Publication year: 2022

Number in series: 31

Pages range: 29-46

Number of pages in the book: 456

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89582-2_2

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: Channel is not openly available

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80262

Abstract

This chapter addresses professional identity in the workplace. The relevance of the topic derives from current trends in working life, in which constant changes require continuous professional identity negotiations. In addition, employees are increasingly obliged to recognise and make visible their professional identity in order to navigate and survive in the complexities of working life. This chapter provides an overview of the conceptual frameworks, topics, and empirical evidence pertaining to professional identity, as presented in workplace learning literature. From this, it provides suggestions for researching and elaborating professional identity, with particular attention to relational, agentic, and emotional perspectives over time. It further opens up discussion on the kinds of workplace pedagogies and practices that might support individuals’ professional identity negotiations amid chaotic working life situations. Overall, this chapter has relevance for scholars and practitioners who seek to research and/or foster professional identity negotiations in the workplace.

Keywords: human agency; emotions; professional identity; professional development; professional skills; learning; working life; workplaces; sociocultural factors; negotiations

Free keywords: emotions; professional agency; professional identity; negotiation; sociocultural approach; work; workplace pedagogy

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2