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Time to Socialize

Organizational Socialization Structures and Temporality

Texas State University, LG37{at}txstate.edu

Organizational socialization is a communicative practice that affects and is affected by organizational temporality. The relationship between organizational socialization practices and organizational temporality is empirically explored through a questionnaire focusing on Ballard and Seibold's temporality dimensions and measures emphasizing structural dimensions of socialization tactics. Findings indicate that the perception of time as scarce is related to organizational members' development of formal structures that promote socialization of newcomers. Further, findings suggest that organizational members holding a future temporal focus may engage in the development of formal socialization structures that provide social support for newcomers and help newcomers predict their career path within the organization.

Key Words: communication structures • organizational temporality • socialization practices • temporal focus • temporal scarcity

This version was published on April 1, 2009

Journal of Business Communication, Vol. 46, No. 2, 179-207 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0021943608328077


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