Navigating panethnic categorization in the workplace: a study of British Sri Lankan employees

Dulini Fernando, Etlyn Kenny

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

247 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

A wide range of ethnic groups make up labour markets in most advanced economies. However, we lack a nuanced understanding of how specific groups experience minority ethnic identity within the workplace. This article addresses how an underrepresented minority ethnic group, British Sri Lankans, experience being assigned a broad Asian panethnic identity in their workplace, which is both positively and negatively stereotyped. Drawing on theories of social identity-based impression management and self-stereotyping we highlight how individuals responded to panethnic stereotypes imposed on them by both claiming and rejecting a broader Asian identity, and at the same time attempting to carve out a more distinctive British Sri Lankan identity. We advance knowledge of the multi-level nature of ethnic identity, demonstrating ways in which movement between superordinate and subordinate levels of ethnic identity can occur. Counter intuitively we suggest that individuals’ positive self-stereotyping efforts may, over time, contribute to a more constricted career path that may leave them less prepared for senior management positions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)769-797
Number of pages29
JournalJournal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology
Volume91
Issue number4
Early online date1 Jun 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2018

Keywords

  • ethnicity
  • panethnicity
  • identity
  • stereotypes
  • impression management
  • model minority
  • career

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business, Management and Accounting(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Navigating panethnic categorization in the workplace: a study of British Sri Lankan employees'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this