While most models of the employee selection process emphasize the need to match individuals with organizations, this paper goes a step further by suggesting work group reactions to new members should also be considered in making these decisions. A theoretical model for predicting these reactions is presented. The model suggests a group's receptivity to a new member in general and the nature of the specific position to be filled will interact to create four different types of reactions. These reactions are acceptance, avoidance, confrontation, or nurturance. After the diagnostic model is described, several practical applications of the model are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AlderferC.P.Boundary relations and organizational diagnosis. InMeltzerH.WickerF. R. (Eds.), Humanizing organization behavior.Springfield, II.: Thomas, 1976.
CoserL.The functions of social conflict.Glencoe, IL: Free Press, 1956.
11.
DeutschM.The resolution of conflict.New Haven, Ct.: Yale University Press, 1973.
12.
EmersonR. M.Power-Dependence relations. American Sociological Review, 1962, 27, 31–41.
13.
FeldmanD.The multiple socialization of organization members. Academy of Management Review, 1981, 6, 309–318.
14.
FrenchJ. R. P.Jr.A formal theory of social power. InCartwrightD.ZanderA. (Eds.), Group dynamics (3rd. Ed.) New York, N.Y.: Harper and Row, 1968.
15.
HartmanJ. J.GibbardG. S.Anxiety, boundary evolution, and social change. InGibbardG. S.HartmanJ. J.MannR. D. (Eds.), Analysis of groups.San Francisco, Ca.: Jossey-Bass, 1974.
16.
HulinC. L.Effects of changes in job satisfaction levels on employee turnover. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1968, 52(2, 122–126.
17.
JanisI.L.Victims of groupthink: A psychological study of foreign policy decisions and fiascos.Boston, Ma.: Houghton Mifflin, 1972.
18.
KanterR. M.Men and women of the corporation, New York, N.Y.: Basic Books, 1977.
19.
KatzD.KahnR. L.The social psychology of organizations.New York, N.Y.: John Wiley, 1966.
20.
LeVineR. A.CampbellD. T.Ethnocentrism, New York, N.Y.: Wiley, 1972.
21.
MobleyW. H.GriffethR. W.HanH. H.MeglinoB. M.Review and conceptual analysis of the employee turnover process. Psychological Bulletin, 1979, 86(3, 493–522.
22.
PorterL. W.LawlerE. E.IIIHackmanJ. R.Behavior in organizations.New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, 1975.
23.
RoethlisbergerF. J.DicksonW. J.Management and the worker.Cambridge, Ma.: Harvard University Press, 1939.
SherifM.HarveyO. J.WhiteB. J.HoodW. R.SherifC. W.Intergroup conflict and cooperation: The robbers cave experiment.Norman, Ok.: University Book Exchange, 1961.
26.
Van MaanenJ.Experiencing organization: Notes on the meaning of careers and socialization. InVan MaanenJ. (Ed.), Organizational careers: Some perspectives.New York, N.Y.: Wiley, 1977.
27.
WanousJ. P.Organizational entry: Recruitment, selection, and socialization of newcomers.Reading, Ma.: Addison-Wesley, 1980.
