An analysis of organizational adaptation agents for young workers

Abstract

In recent years, Japan has witnessed new phenomena such as early turnover among young workers and the proliferation of " freeters " and " NEETs. " These phenomena denote the social problems faced by young workers when adapt-ing to the workplace. Resolving these rising problems is important to Japanese companies and their management. In this study, the factors that promote young workers' organizational adaptation are analyzed and examined. Specifically, this study focuses on anticipatory socialization, the superior, the colleague, the peer, and the workplace. This study defines them as organizational adaptation agents. In order to understand the role of such agents, the authors conducted a comparison analysis on data collected through questionnaire surveys from young white-collar workers (N=227) and nurses (N=237). The results revealed the existence of a variety of organizational adaptation agents, and that different agents influenced early affective commitment, organizational socialization, and turnover intentions. This study's results can facilitate young worker's organiza-tional adaptation and preclude early turnover.