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Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups

Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2019.

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Other Authors: Crafford, Anne
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2020
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Crafford, Anne
author_browse Crafford, Anne
author_facet Crafford, Anne
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2020 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:40:45.814Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2020
publishDateRange 2020
publishDateSort 2020
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/77813 Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups Crafford, Anne lucia.erasmus15@gmail.com Erasmus, Lucia UCTD work identity identity work professional identity micro-aggression whiteness Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2019. Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the professional identity construction of accountants from previously disadvantaged groups. The study considered the significance of context and the influence of whiteness and racial micro-aggressions on individual identity construction. Motivation for this study: Little is known about the struggle that people from previously disadvantaged groups in South Africa have to go through to negotiate their professional identities. This study provided a platform for these individuals to share their journey in becoming a professional accountant and understanding the impact of context on their professional identity construction. Research design, approach and method: The study followed a qualitative design, and a multiple case study method was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through a narrative lens to explore the individual stories of the participants’ experiences. Non-probability purposive sampling was used. The sample consisted of five black professional accountants from previously disadvantaged groups. Data analysis took the form of individual case narratives followed by a thematic analysis across cases. Main findings: The history of apartheid is still present in South African organisations today in the form of racial micro-aggression and whiteness which create barriers to the professional identity construction of people from previously disadvantaged groups. It was found that the following contexts influence identity construction: political, legislative, socio-economic, educational, organisational, professional, family and cultural contexts. Practical Implications: Legislation such as BBEEE, AA and the EEA are in place to support the transformation agenda of South African organisations. However, in this study it became clear that legislation does not achieve its intended impact. If organisations do not start supporting professionals of colour, it will have a major impact on their skills and career development as well as on talent retention within organisations. Value/Study contribution: The results could become a valuable resource for educational institutions, professional bodies and managers within organisations to enable them to eliminate the barriers of whiteness and micro-aggression and to support people from previously disadvantaged groups to construct positive professional identities. Human Resource Management MCom Unrestricted 2020-12-29T11:50:46Z 2020-12-29T11:50:46Z 2020/04/15 2019 Mini Dissertation Erasmus, L 2019, Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups, MCom Mini Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/77813> A2020 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/77813 en © 2020 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
work identity
identity work
professional identity
micro-aggression
whiteness
Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups
title Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups
title_full Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups
title_fullStr Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups
title_short Exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups
title_sort exploring the professional identity construction and negotiation of professionals from previously disadvantaged groups
topic UCTD
work identity
identity work
professional identity
micro-aggression
whiteness
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/77813