The term distorted images is used to describe a misinterpretation of the true perceptions of an organization’s image across various stakeholders. Distorted images exist because people have unique lenses from which they view an organization. These lenses can distort their perceptions of an organization or even distort their perceptions of how others view an organization, resulting in potential misallocation of resources and affecting a corporation’s reputation. This entry examines how the organizational image from members within an organization and outside stakeholders, as well as organizational members’ identification with the organization, affects the internal and external image of the corporation. How organizational members and management respond to external image distortion is also discussed.

The organizational image, that is, the perception or impression of an organization held by ...