"Socialization of the New Hire in the Workplace"

Linda Lambert

Linda Lambert graduated with a BS in Technical Communication (with High Honors) from New Mexico Tech in 2008. Her advisor for this thesis was Dr. Julie Ford. Linda currently works as a technical writer for research and development laboratory.

Contents

Abstract and Introduction

Purpose and Approach

What is "Socialization"?

Review of Literature 

Necessity vs. Sufficiency

The Path to Success

Conclusion

References

Necessity vs. Sufficiency

Katz (1998b) articulates a process and resources by which newcomers to an employer’s social context can obtain optimal guidance in fulfilling employer expectations. If these processes and resources are fully implemented in the new hire’s workplace we might infer that this is the making of the best of all possible worlds – employment nirvana.

Let us presume for a moment that all of the resources and processes recommended by Katz (1998b) are in place, including orientation, training, mentors, and written materials. Also presume that Katz’s specific recommendations are adopted, including (1) a new-hire orientation that does clearly identify available resources, (2) introductions to coworkers, (3) the offering of continuing shorter-focused training activities, and (4) the availability of up-to-date written materials that articulate policies, procedures, benefits, models of products to be emulated, and rules of style, and addressing frequently asked questions.  In addition, presume that as a part of on-the-job training, newcomers are (1) assigned collaborative tasks with more experienced personnel, (2) pointed to appropriate SMEs, and (3) given time and opportunity for informal social interaction.  Presume the newcomer has, in such an ideal environment, found it easy to adopt proactive strategies to discover the virtual rules or non-rules by direct questioning, testing limits, casual conversation, and in-process observation of peers.

All of the above, according to Katz, is in principle necessary. To walk into such an organizational context would be ideal. Would having all this mean that the newcomer has it made? No, but the newcomer will have a higher success rate given the well organized and complete set of tools that Katz describes. However, the availability of the tools does not assure success so much as how the individual implements these tools.