Introduction to Human Resource Management

Chapter 8 : Socialization

Concept of Orientation- Objectives of Induction/Orientation, Role of Organizational Culture in Orientation, Roles, Values, Norms, The Process of Socialization, Assumptions, Model of Socialization Process, Different Socialization Strategies, Formal or Informal, Individual or Collective, Sequential or Non-sequential, Fixed or Variable, Tournament or Contest, Serial or Disjunctive, Investiture or Divestiture- Existing Employee Socialization

Chapter Summary

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.

The socialization process is not confined to employees entering new organizations. It is also important for employees moving within the organization as a result of lateral transfers and promotions. Orientation is only a small part of the overall socialization program. The process of orientation includes introduction of the new employee to the organization and to his work unit and supplementing the information given to him during recruitment and selection.

An organization's orientation program should make a new employee familiar with the organization's history, philosophy, objectives, procedures and rules. To understand the concept of socialization, a look at organization culture and its underlying concepts – roles, values, and norms – is necessary. A new employee, to fit into the organization, must understand the role he has to play in that particular job, the values of the organization that he has to uphold and the norms set by his peer group that he has to conform to.

The socialization process is based on some general assumptions. 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.

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