Organizational Socialization as a Learning Process

The Role of Information Acquisition

Bibliographic Data

ID23318417
AuthorsCheri Ostroff (0000-0003-1067-6226, University of Minnesota, corresponding author), Steve W J Kozlowski (0000-0002-5123-3424, Michigan State University)
Year1992
Volume45
Issue4
Pages849-874
Publication date1992-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePersonnel Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-5826 • E-ISSN: 1744-6570
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1744-6570.1992.tb00971.x
OpenAlexW1975317048
LanguageEN
Citations received115
References cited26

This study investigated newcomers’information acquisition about organizational contextual domains from different sources, the relationship between information acquisition and knowledge of domains, relationships between information acquisition from sources, knowledge of domains and socialization outcomes, and shifts in these processes over time. Questionnaires assessing information acquisition strategies, knowledge and socialization outcomes were completed by 151 new organizational members across a variety of organizations, after an average of 17 weeks on the job and again several months later. Results of the study indicated that newcomers differentially relied on sources to gather information, that different sources were of varying importance for gaining knowledge, and that supervisors, coworkers, task and role mastery were related to the assimilation process of new employees. Research and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Dreyfus model of skill acquisition · Knowledge Acquisition · Knowledge management · Management · Organizational learning · Process (computing) · Socialization · Task (project management) · Variety (cybernetics) · Applied Psychology · Computer Science · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Knowledge Management and Sharing · Psychology · Social Psychology