?
Reconceptualizing Identity in the Information Age: The Role of Temporal Focus in IT identity Shaping
In the information age, individuals increasingly construct and negotiate their identities through interactions with information technologies. This study reconceptualizes identity formation by examining the role of temporal focus—orientation toward the past, present, and future—in shaping IT identity. Drawing on identity theory and temporal perspective research, the paper develops a conceptual framework explaining how different temporal orientations influence individuals’ perceptions, meanings, and integration of information technologies into their self-concept. The analysis demonstrates that future-oriented temporal focus facilitates proactive engagement with emerging technologies and the development of aspirational IT identities, while present-oriented focus emphasizes situational use and experiential alignment with technologies. In contrast, past-oriented focus anchors IT identity in prior experiences, routines, and established technological practices, potentially constraining adaptation and innovation. By highlighting temporal focus as a key yet underexplored mechanism in IT identity shaping, this study contributes to information systems and sociotechnical research by offering a dynamic perspective on identity construction in digitally mediated environments. The proposed framework provides implications for understanding technology adoption, digital transformation, and human–technology interaction in contemporary organizations and societies.