Fulfilling employees’ psychological contracts: organizational socialization’s role

• Published in: Leadership & organization development journal Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 42 - 55
• Main Authors: DeBode, Jason D., Mossholder, Kevin W., Walker, Alan G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 01.01.2017; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Acquisitions & mergers; Employment; Influence; Job satisfaction; New employees; Orientations; Perceptions; Researchers; Socialization; Variables; Psychological contracts; Employee attitudes; Organizational socialization
• ISSN: 0143-7739; 1472-5347
• DOI: 10.1108/LODJ-02-2015-0014

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of psychological contract fulfillment in the relationship between socialization tactics and attachment-related outcomes (i.e. organizational commitment and person-organization fit). Design/methodology/approach Data were obtained from online data collection services which allowed for a custom sample of new employees (n=326) from a variety of organizations and industries. Findings Psychological contract fulfillment partially mediated the relationship between one socialization tactic (i.e. social) and attachment-related outcomes. Post hoc analyses offered support for a hierarchy of socialization tactics with respect to prediction of organization-relevant outcomes. Research limitations/implications Researchers and practitioners have long believed socialization plays an important role in creating successful new employees. However, researchers have yet to adequately examine the mechanisms facilitating these relationships. This study advances the socialization literature by highlighting one such mechanism – psychological contract fulfillment. Originality/value This study seeks to explore the “black box” of socialization. Specifically, whereas prior work has suggested one tactic (i.e. social) may be more important than others, this is among the few studies exploring a potential hierarchy of socialization tactics. The authors then discuss the implications of this hierarchy for future research.