Self-Categorization and Identity Construction Associated with Managing Diversity David V. Day Pennsylvania State University William E. Cross, Jr. University of Massachusetts—Amherst and Erika L. Ringseis and Tamara L. Williams Pennsylvania State University This study investigated the self-categorization of library employees (N = 254) in response to the question: Do you consider yourself to be a member of an underrep- resented group? Approximately 15% of the affirmative responses to this question were from white majority group members. Consistent with predictions based on categori- zation and labeling theories (Ashforth & Humphrey, 1997), these “nontraditional” underrepresented group members were found to have lower reported job satisfaction, poorer perceptions of psychological climate and procedural justice, worse leader– member exchange quality, and more negative reactions to diversity-related issues than employees classified as traditionally underrepresented or not underrepresented. Rela- tions between nontraditional identity and two diversity outcomes (consistency of diversity definitions and practices; general attitudes about diversity) were completely mediated by procedural justice perceptions. Results are discussed in terms of labeling theory and social control in identity representation, with implications for effectively managing diversity and organizational change. © 1999 Academic Press . . . I view the goal of managing diversity as maximizing the ability of all employees to contribute to organizational goals and to achieve their full potential unhindered by group identities such as gender, race, nationality, age, and departmental affiliation. (Cox, 1994, p. 11) We gratefully acknowledge the help of Nancy Slaybaugh, Glorianna St. Clair, and Nancy Cline in making this research possible. Address correspondence and reprint requests to David V. Day, Department of Psychology, 126 Bruce V. Moore Building, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802. E-mail: dvd1@psu.edu. Journal of Vocational Behavior 54, 188 –195 (1999) Article ID jvbe.1998.1648, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on 188 0001-8791/99 $30.00 Copyright © 1999 by Academic Press All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.