“Ashforth (2001) argues that role transitions involve crossing role boundaries, and he draws a distinction between ‘macro role transitions and micro role transitions.” (Desrochers & Sargent)
Ashforth, Kreiner, and Fugate (2000) define role transitions as “the psychological (and, where relevant, physical) movement between roles, including disengagement from one role (role exit) and engagement in another (role entry; Burr, 1972; Richter, 1984)” and as “a boundary-crossing activity, where one exits and enters roles by surmounting boundaries (Schein, 1971; Van Maanen, 1982)” (p. 472). (Desrochers)
Desrochers S. & Sargent, L. (2003, September 09). Boundary/Border Theory and Work-Family Integration, A Sloan Work and Family Encyclopedia Entry. Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College.
Ashforth, B. E. (2001). Role transitions in organizational life: An identity-based perspective. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
As defined by Desrochers citing Ashforth, Kreiner, & Fugate:
Ashforth, B. E., Kreiner, G. E., & Fugate, M. (2000). All in a day's work: Boundaries and micro role transitions. Academy of Management Review, 25(3), 472-491.