Insiders’ Socialization Behaviors: A Turning Point Analysis of Collaboration as an Outcome

• In Event: So Far, So Good, Part 1: Organizational Communication Research Escalator

Abstract

This article studies organizational socialization behaviors and outcome from an insider per-spective. More specifically, it explores 1) the specific behaviors that insiders use to socialize new-comers, and 2) how these behaviors affect ‘collaboration’ as a specific newcomer behavioural out-come. Empirical evidence is drawn from a large public institution, where insiders in an informal role setting were observed and interviewed over a two-year period. Data is organized in three broad categories: 1) context and circumstances; 2) content and form; and 3) social aspects and analysed for their ability to facilitate a collaborative relation between insider and newcomer. A turning point analysis was used to catch those socialization behaviors that significantly impact on the newcomers’ attitude as either collaborative or conflictual in their interaction with insiders. The analysis initially suggests that strong social ties between insider and newcomer have valuable socialization effects in terms of a collaborative behavior.

Author

• Mette Lund Kristensen, U of Southern Denmark