From control to co‐construction in identity regulation: A systematic review and an agenda for future research

This systematic review synthesises findings from 112 peer‐reviewed articles (1995–2026) to provide a comprehensive and timely understanding of identity regulation, diverse navigation strategies, and multifaceted outcomes. It reveals identity regulation as a multi‐level phenomenon extending to organisations, managers, and teams as distinct targets of regulation beyond the traditional employee focus. It maps the multi‐level mechanisms through which identity is shaped and the diverse strategies individuals (employees and managers) employ to navigate these pressures—from conformity, (dis)‐identification, sensemaking, and balancing to resistance and proactive identity work. The review reveals multifaceted and often paradoxical outcomes affecting individuals physically, emotionally, socially, and ethically, as well as influencing team and organisational dynamics. Notably, findings strongly suggest that a co‐constructive regulatory approach fostering agency yields significantly more positive consequences than a traditional control‐centric approach. This review highlights a conceptual shift from a control‐centric approach towards a co‐constructive approach, proposing a detailed research agenda to significantly advance the field in this dynamic direction.