A longitudinal analysis of organizational anticipatory socialization of incoming employees: Antecedents and consequences of newcomer learning about an organization

Abstract

This study aims to extend our knowledge of organizational anticipatory so-cialization by examining the antecedents and consequences of learning of new recruits about an organization between the job offer and organizational entry. I collected longitudinal data from a large Japanese manufacturing company and analyzed the socialization programs conducted by the organization and proac-tive behaviors of new recruits. I found that proactive behaviors are significantly positively related to newcomer learning, while socialization programs have both positive and negative effects on newcomer learning. Moreover, I found that newcomer learning has significant positive effects on the distal organiza-tional outcomes of affective commitment, expectation in the organization, and achievement motivation to work after organizational entry. The implications of these findings for organizational anticipatory socialization are discussed.