Core self-evaluations and job satisfaction during organizational entry: Examining the mediating role of newcomer proactivity

Following Ashford and Black’s taxonomy of newcomers’ proactivity, the current study examines the mediating role of individual socialization proactive behaviors in the relationship between newcomers’ core self-evaluations and job satisfaction. Using a sample of 151 newcomers in their first onboarding process, a predictive design was employed with two distinct phases of data collection. Results showed that the construct of core self-evaluations represents a valid and meaningful predictor of newcomers’ job satisfaction, reported five months after organizational entry. Further mediation analyses revealed that this relationship is mediated by the proactive behaviors of positive framing and general socializing. These findings provide relevant theoretical and applied implications regarding the psychological mechanisms underlying the link between core self-evaluations and job satisfaction, especially concerning the intervening role of newcomer’s proactivity. Main implications are presented and discussed along with further practical aspects concerning the promotion of newcomer proactivity and job satisfaction during organizational socialization.