Organizational Socialization Essay

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Organisational socialisation: An exploration of costs and benefits. INTRODUCTION The process by which newcomers are introduced into an organizational culture is known as “organisational socialisation”, and is increasingly believed to have a significant influence on newcomer´s performance and turnover. Socialization, furthermore, is, “the ongoing process of instilling in all employees the prevailing attitudes, standards, values, and patterns of behavior that are expected by the organization and its departments” (Dessler, 249, 1999). According to Wanous, socialisation can be separated into, “the organization´s socialization of the newcomer, and the newcomer´s personalizing of the organization” (1980, 168). During this process, newcomers’ knowledge, abilities, skills, values and relationships may adjust in order for the individual to assimilate and become effective within the organisation (Cooper-Thomas & Anderson, 2006). Existing research demonstrates the importance of organisational socialisation in ensuring ones effectiveness in the task they are hired for, making this a vital area of study (Saks, Uggerskev & Fassina, 2007). While unsuccessful socialisation can be costly for an organisation, research has also revealed benefits of success such as increased employee wellbeing and more positive organisational culture (Cooper-Thomas & Anderson, 2006). According to Bauer et al., this in turn can result in long-term positive effects on behaviour and attitudes when done properly (2007). The greater the congruity is between an individual’s characteristics or desires and that of an organisations results in a greater person-organisation fit. This can be achieved through organisational socialisation, and has lasting benefits (Morley, 2007). Research has shown a definitive connection between the behaviour and tactic use of a newcomer, and their success within an
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