ORGANIZATIONAL SOCIALIZATION - A MULTIDOMAIN, CONTINUOUS PROCESS MODEL

This paper presents a model of organizational socialization (OS) as a process with four domains (spheres of activity containing multiple fac tors or dimensions) which evolve concurrently during one's tenure. The domains are: (1) Training; (2) Understanding (of one's job and organi zation); (3) Coworker Support; and (4) Future Prospects (in the employ ing organization). Each domain is discussed in terms of its: (a) defin ition and components; (b) rationale for inclusion; (c) continuous natu re; (d) hypothesized correlates; and (e) relevance for HRM practitione rs. Together, the domains compose a continuous-process model which pro vides a framework for organizing theoretical elements and for classify ing the diverse variables used in OS research.