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 factors or dimensions) which evolve concurrently during one's tenure. The domains are: (1) Training; (2) Understanding (of one's job and organization); (3) Coworker Support; and (4) Future Prospects (in the employing organization). Each domain is discussed in terms of its: (a) definition and components; (b) rationale for inclusion; (c) continuous nature; (d) hypothesized correlates; and (e) relevance for HRM practitioners. Together, the domains compose a continuous-process model which provides a framework for organizing theoretical elements and for classifying the diverse variables used in OS research.