Introduction: What this book is all about

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief overview of the historical context and background of the SA society from which the current broader work context is developing. A key feature of the SA society is that it is highly polarized and deeply divided around some work–related issues. Possible reasons for these tensions/divisions will be introduced, as well as the associated challenges that these divisions may pose for broader societal change as well as more specifi c changes in the SA workplace. The chapter will further indicate what the implications of these challenges are for identity and work–related identity formation and research in the SA workplace. An SA case study is provided to introduce some key concepts used in work identity literature and in this book.