A Contingency Theory of Socialization

Abstract

A MODEL OF INDIVIDUAL SOCIALIZATION INTO ORGANIZATIONS IS PRESENTED AND TESTED. THE MODEL - 1. IDENTIFIES 3 DISTINCT STAGES OF SOCIALIZATION, 2. SPECIFIES THE ACTIVITIES ENGAGED IN BY THE INDIVIDUAL AT EACH STAGE, AND 3. SPECIFIES THE PERSONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONTINGENCIES CONTROLLING MOVEMENT THROUGH THE STAGES. DATA WAS COLLECTED FROM 118 HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES, AND THE MODEL WAS SUPPORTED. FOUR VARIABLES ARE IDENTIFIED AS POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS - GENERAL SATISFACTION, MUTUAL INFLUENCE, INTERNAL WORK MOTIVATION, AND JOB INVOLVEMENT. GENERAL SATISFACTION AND MUTUTAL INFLUENCE ARE EMPIRICALLY LINKED WITH IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS, AND THEY INCREASE STEADILY AS INDIVIDUALS PROGRESS THROUGH SOCIALIZATION. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOCIALIZATION EXPERIENCES OF PROFESSIONAL, PARAPROFESSIONAL, AND NON-PROFESSIONAL WORKERS ARE IDENTIFIED AND EXPLAINED AND IMPLICATIONS DRAWN FOR THE CONDUCT OF SOCIALIZATION PROGRAMS. CHARTS. REFERENCES.