An Interactionist Perspective on Newcomer Socialization Rates

A symbolic interactionist perspective on the genesis of meaning and identity is used as a general theoretical framework to explain the specifics of newcomer socialization processes in organizations. This framework suggests that interactions with insiders in the setting may be an important, but largely overlooked, influence on the rate at which newcomers negotiate the first (encounter) stage of the socialization process. The role of interactions between newcomers and insiders is emphasized as the primary vehicle through which initial socialization occurs. A model of the interactionist perspective is presented and directions for future research are discussed.