The Social Process of Joining an Organization Essay

The Social Process of Joining an Organization - Essay Example Organizations and the people within organizations confront a number of difficulties and situations that are entirely complex. It therefore follows that as social systems, both organizations and the people within them have to constantly adapt to complexity. Whether or not members of an organization learn to adapt to complexities is usually determined by how well members are integrated into the organization when they initially join it. The social process of joining an organization also known as â€Å"organizational socialisation† is important because it is a process in which the newcomer â€Å"acquires the attitudes, behaviour, and knowledge† necessary for participating as an â€Å"organization member†. Among the main socialization processes are: assimilation, civilisation, marginalisation, and professionalization. How an organization applies and deals with each of these processes in the socialising of newcomers depends on the mission and policies of the organization. This essay examines some of the applicable theories directing organizational choices in the complex socialisation process for newcomers. Two useful theories for guiding the socialisation process are psychological and socialisation theories. These theories are important for helping organizations learn the appropriate recruitment and retention skills in the socialization process (Allen, 2006, p. 237). Psychological theory focuses on perceptions of organizational expectations and how those expectations are altered upon entry and with respect to the newcomer’s experiences within the organization and the newcomer makes sense of those experiences (De Vos, Buyens, & Schalk, 2003, p. 537). Psychological theory also narr ows down the perceptions and how experiences alter perceptions by focusing on the experiences of gender groups (Robbins & Judge 2009, p. 45). Sociological theories such as social exchange theory argue that within an organization there is an: ..on-going, dynamic relationship between people as a series of interactions in which actors exchange resources guided by rules of exchange, such as social norms (Korte, 2009, p. 289). In other words, sociological theories inform of the processes in which a newcomer learns the social ordering of the organization via experiences and interactions after entering an organization. According to Allen (2006) employee turnover for organizations occurs more frequently among newcomers (p. 237). Unfortunately, this is problematic because, organizations typically invest a great deal of resources in the recruitment, and training of new employees and with the high turnover among newcomers, organizations have very little opportunities to realize a return on tho se investments (Allen, 2006, p. 237). Together sociological and psychological theories of organizational socialization inform that the socialization process commences before the newcomer enters the organization and that the socialization experience can have an impact on the newcomers decision to remain within the organization (Taormina, 1997, p. 29). It therefore follows that how an organization chooses to influence the socialization of a newcomer is very important and might even be relevant at the recruitment stage. For instance, perceptions of gender inequality in the work place such as in Wal-Mart where women are under-represented in its workforce might influence organizational change in attempting to increase the organization’s appeal to the female workforce (Boxall & Pucell, 2011, p. 14). In this regard, it would be necessary to change practices and policies within an organization that will facilitate the professionalization of women and thereby alter preconceived notion s of gender inequality by practices and policies that significantly alter the newcomer’s â€Å"anticipatory socialisation process† (Ongiti, 2011, p. 78). For example, a new recruit who believes that an