Introduction to Human Resource Management

Socialization : Chapter 8

When new employees enter an organization they feel out of place because of the new surroundings, new boss and new co-workers. Hence, it is the responsibility of the management to orient the employees and to make the process of socialization smooth. This will ensure that the new employees adapt to the organizational culture as soon as possible. The process of adaptation is commonly termed induction or socialization.

They are: The process of socialization has an influence on the performance of an employee; an effective socialization process ensures that a new employee fits well into the organization, socialization helps to handle new employee anxiety and the process of socialization requires the involvement of co-workers and the work environment. Socialization can be conceptualized as a process consisting of three stages - Pre-arrival, Encounter, and Metamorphosis.

The process of socialization affects the new employee's work productivity, commitment to the organization's objectives and his decision to stay with the organization. They are various alternatives that a manager can consider when designing effective socialization strategies. They are Formal or Informal, Individual or Collective, Sequential or Non-sequential, Fixed or Variable, Tournament or Contest, Serial or Disjunctive, Investiture or Divestiture Socialization Strategies.

The human resource manager must consider the various alternatives and their influence while designing the appropriate program for the organization. Socialization is an ongoing process and should not be stopped after the initial orientation program. Given the changing business environment it is always important to equip employees with the right skills to perform effectively.

Chapter 8 : Overview