Organizational socialization (OS) is the process through which a newcomer to an organization transitions from outsider to integrated and effective insider. Also termed newcomer adjustment or onboarding, OS includes the acquisition or adjustment of shared values, attitudes, skills, knowledge, abilities, behaviors, and workplace relationships. OS occurs whenever an employee crosses an organizational boundary, internal or external. Nonetheless, OS research focuses, in the main, on transitions into organizations rather than functional or hierarchical transitions (e.g., lateral moves, promotion) within an organization.

Process Approaches to Organizational Socialization

Organizational Actions

Van Maanen and Schein developed a model of OS tactics on the basis of the premise that newcomer learning is dependent on the process as much as the content. They outlined six tactics organizations use to influence newcomers to adopt certain ...

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