Role Transitions in Organizational Life

"""The chapters are concise and yet thoroughly documented and grounded in the most current research literatures....the author uses interesting examples....the book is provocative and stimulating....this book makes a significant contribution to role theory. It ties together a diverse set of literatures and focuses on an under-explored area: transitions between roles....I guarantee that once you've read the book you will hardly be able to go through your day without thinking about all of those role transitions you are experiencing."" —Personnel Psychology ""This book is a very thorough presentation of the role-theory literature, similar in quality to what one would expect in a handbook. Its audience will be researchers and graduate students who are immersed in role-theory development and validation, and it should be considered essential for that audience....this volume is a valuable resource for scholars who want a comprehensive and thoughtful presentation of the role theory literature and how it is integrated with the identity literature."" —Administrative Science Quarterly ""In this era of dazzling complexity and protean careers, the game is called survival of the smartest. And the smartest are those who know themselves and know how to transform themselves. These are the ultimate 'metacompetencies': identity and adaptability. Anyone who wants to learn the essentials of identity and personal transformation should read this lucid account of Blake Ashforth's research and his journey through the literature. If research programs were start-ups, I'd want to invest in his!"" —Douglas T. Hall Boston University"