In early stages of innovation, individuals often experience multiple identity centrality, which involves simultaneously considering multiple roles as central to their overall sense of self. However, existing empirical research has largely overlooked the dynamic nature and implications of such experience. In this study, we draw on the structural symbolic interactionism perspective and research on multiple identities to test the implications of experiencing multiple functional identities at both within-individual and within-team levels. Using a person-centered, profile-based approach, we conducted a three-wave repeated measures study with a sample of 285 individuals nested in 51 innovation teams. We examine (a) from a within-individual level, how experiencing multiple functional identities shape creative behavior, and (b) from a within-team level, how the proportion of members experiencing multiple functional identities foster team innovation progress through the aggregate members’ engagement in creative behaviors. Results overall support the motivating effects of experiencing multiple functional identities in increasing creative behavior engagement (at both within-individual and within-team levels), which in turn enhances team innovation progress (at the within-team level). Moreover, the within-team linkage is stronger for teams without prior start-up experience. We discuss the theoretical and practical relevance of our study.
