Abstract: The present study recognize the dimensions of active socialization behavior among Iranian employees and develops a model investigating the intermediating effects of perceived insider position and the controlling effects of supervisors’ traditionality on the relationships between active socialization behavior and outsiders’ socialization effects. Results from 560 outsiders supervisor supported the hypotheses that active socialization behavior was positively related with task performance and social integration through perceived insider position. In addition, supervisors’ traditionality significantly mitigates the effects of outsiders’ active socialization behavior on their perceived insider position, task performance and social integration. Specifically, the effects of active socialization behavior on outsiders’ effects become weaker as supervisors’ traditionality increases. These results suggest that supervisors’ traditionality can be a potential constraint for active Iranian outsiders from gaining insider positionand appropriate socialization effects.
INTRODUCTION
Outsiders face to an uncertainty environment during the organization entry period (Miller and Jablin, 1991). To reduce this uncertainty, outsiders may commit in active socialization behavior such as seeking information about organizational policies and creating relationships with officeholders (Bauer and Green, 1998; Wanberg and Kammeyer-Mueller, 2000). To extant management literature, active socialization behavior has beenrelated with good effects for both outsiders and organizations, such as job satisfaction, organizational loyalty and job performance (Ashforth et al., 2007; Wanberg and Kammeyer-Mueller, 2000). Therefore, at least several important questions are not discussed. The first important issue that activity research needs to examine is distinguishing the dimensions of active socialization behavior outside Western societies. Because of differences in cultural values, cross-cultural researchers have found that some working behaviors are similar across countries whereas others are different across countries.For example, Sanoubar and Moghadam (2013) found that only five dimensions of Iranian organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) are similar to the major OCB dimensions in Western literature and at least one dimension is unique to Iran. Likewise, the dimensionality of active socialization behavior can be differentin one country and certain behaviors not considered active in one national culture may be regarded as active. Thus, one goal of this research was to recognize the dimensions of active socialization behavior in Iran. Second, the existing literature has paid little attention to investigating the consequences of active socialization behavior outside the U.S. Even though factors of active socialization behavior are effective in one national culture, they may lead to differenteffects in another country. Therefore, how active socialization behavior affects employee influencein other nations is important in making Western-developed management theories appropriate to managing nationally different work forces more effectively (Tsui, 2004). Thus, this investigate directed to examine the effects of active socialization behavior among Iranian employees. Due to the frequently use of socialization effects for outsiders we focused on task performance and social integration effects (Bauer et al., 2007). Third, few research has focused on the mechanisms through active socialization behavioruses its influence. Investigating how active socialization behavior transforms into socialization effects in the development of the activity literature which has showed the linkage between active socialization behavior and socialization effects (Fang et al., 2011). We suggest that perceived insider position is a key to realizing the linkage between active socialization behavior and socialization effects. Bauer and Erdogan (2011), state that socialization “is a process which new employees move from being organizational outsiders to becoming organizational insiders”. When outsiders actively commit in active socialization behavior, they feel like insiders (Masterson and Stamper, 2003). The feel of being an insider in turn the outsiders increases and can contribute to the organization and further mix with others (Stamper and Masterson, 2002). In addition, investigating perceived insider positionas one of the mechanisms linking active socialization behaviors to task performance and social integration is important in the context of Iranian society. Finally, although past research has shown significant positive relationships between active socialization behavior and employee effects, the size of the effects has been heterogeneous, suggesting thatthe relationships may not be uniform across different conditions (Bateman and Crant, 1993; Erdogan and Bauer, 2005; Jounnaqi et al., 2010). Saks et al. (2011) have argued that “the success of outsiders” active behavior depends on the behavior itself and on the responses to others”. Therefore, we developed these arguments in this research, directing to the suggestion that supervisors’ traditionality, high rating of hierarchical orientations in human relationships and an emphasis on submission to authority (Farh et al., 1997), has an effect on the effects of active socialization behavior on outsiders effects. According to Morrison et al. (2004) finding, estimating whether any culture-related variable moderates the relationships between active socialization behavior and employee effects in Iran. To summarize, distinguishing the dimensions of active socialization behavior in a different cultural context as well as investigating the basic mechanism and the boundary conditions for the effects of active socialization behavior on outsiders effects are important. Using Iranian employees, we recognized the dimensions of active socialization behavior and tested the intermediating effect of perceived insider position and the controlling effects of supervisors’ traditionality on the relationships between active socialization behavior and outsiders effects.
THEORY DEVELOPMENT AND HYPOTHESES
Active socialization behavior in the Iranian context: According to Ashford and Black (1996) finding and using a different samples recognized a variety of active socialization behaviors that outsiders may commit in as part of their attempts to fit into a new job and organization: Sense making, relationship creating and job-change negotiation. Ashford and Black (1996) also recognized positive framework as a dimension of activity but it is likely to be a cognitive process rather than a kind of behavior. These dimensions are widely acceptedin Western literature (Ashforth et al., 2007; Saks et al., 2011). However, the dimensions of active socialization behavior in Iran may be different from those recognized inNorth American studies for several reasons. As Ashford and Black (1996) measure some dimensions may be locally unique views of active socialization behavior in Western societies and thus might not be acceptable to Iranian employees. Although power distance varies from small to moderate in the Western societies, powerdistance in Iranian society is larger than that in most of Western societies (Hofstede, 2001). Individuals in largepower-distance societies greatly accept and expect power differences between themselves and their superiors (Hofstede, 2001). As a result, individual differences within the country exist (Peterson and Wood, 2008), Iranian subordinates who realize to value power distance through cultural socialization tend to feel a largeemotional distance between themselves and their supervisors and hence hesitate to interact with their supervisors (Morrison et al., 2004). Therefore job-change negotiation which is recognized by Ashford and Black (1996) may not be regarded as active socialization behavior in Iran.In addition, there may be some locally unique dimensions of active socialization behavior in Iran that have notbeen recognized in the Western literature. For example, in a collective culture such as Iran, “in-group” membership plays an important role in workplace interpersonal relationships (Hofstede, 2001). Colleague may not be colleagues defined by work roles but may be considered as friends (Farh et al., 2004). As a result, gaining in-group membership can be an important task for most Iranian outsiders. Iranianoutsiders maycommit in relationship creating behavior at a personal level even outside work (e.g., spending leisure time withcolleague after work) to gain in-group membership. Therefore, activities related to gaining in-group membership canbe consideredas active socialization behavior among Iranian employees. In short, cultural values and power distance, may influence an outsiders behaviors and can be recognized as active among Iranian employees. Thus, before testing the hypothesized model, we investigated the following research question.
Research question: What types of outsiders behaviors are recognized as active socialization behavior among Iranian employees?
Active socialization behavior and socialization consequences active socialization behavior allows outsiders to access the information needed directly and to interact frequently with other organizational members, directing to positive socialization effects. In particular, outsiders active socialization behavior can positively influence task performance. For example, when outsiders get information about their work setting and feedback on their performance and activities, they can obtain job skills and knowledge (Ashforth et al., 2007). In addition, when outsiders create good relationships with office holders, they are more likely to create a situational personality and to create friendships that can help them getguidance and role behavior instruction related to core job responsibilities (Nelson and Quick, 1991; Reichers, 1987). Outsiders active socialization behavior can positively influence their social integration as well. Social integration refers to theoutsiders experience cooperative social interaction with their group members, satisfaction with other group members and attraction to the group (O’Reilly et al., 1989). Outsiders actively seeking information about their work environments and feedback on their activities allow colleagueto form a positive impression of them (Ashford and Northcraft, 1992; Ashford and Tsui, 1991). In turn this positive impression can help outsiders experience cooperative social interaction with colleagues (Goffman, 1959). Additionally, creating relationships with others allows outsiders to interact with their colleague, thereby helping them obtain andpractice suitable interpersonal skills to cooperate with others (Wanberg and Kammeyer-Mueller, 2000). The preceding logic behind the effects of active socialization behavior on its effects may be confirm in Iran. For example, because of their high tolerance for ambiguity, Iranian organizations may not have clearrules, laws, or regulations that define employees’ roles and working procedures (Hofstede, 2001). Thus, outsiders’ active socialization behavior along the learning path toward their tasks and integrating with others is a very important step. Altogether, outsiders’ active socialization behavior is positively related to task performance and social integration among new Iranian employees. Therefore, we assume that perceived insider position mediates the influence ofactive socialization behavior on socialization effects. As Stamper and Masterson (2002) suggested, outsiders to the organization, employees’ feelings regarding their relationship with their employer are extremely flexible and may be effected by such socialization factors as active tactics. By getting more information, outsiders understand clearly the boundaries of differentiate organizational insiders from outsiders, increasing their perceived insider position (Masterson and Stamper, 2003). Moreover, actively engaging in relationship creating allows outsiders to interact frequently with other organizational members which creates a situational identity that can also help outsiders clarify suitable role expectations (Nelson and Quick, 1991), directing to a sense of comprehensiveness to their organizations (Lapalme et al., 2009). Higher perceived insider position can in turn lead to better task performance and social integration because of the motivational implications of organizational membership (Sanoubar and Moghadam, 2013).
| Fig. 1: | Hypothesized model (Kim et al., 2009) |
According to Jounnaqi et al. (2010) organization alinsider members, employees are more likely toaccept their responsibilities as employees of an organization and as members of a social network at work. The acceptanceof these responsibilities as organizational insiders motivates new employees to better accomplish allocated tasksand integrate with other organizational members. Ersoy et al. (2011) found that perceived in sider position has a positive linkage with task performance. Therefore, we suggest the following hypothesis.
Hypothesis 1: Active socialization behavior is positively related to (a) Task performance and (b) Social integration and these relationships are partially mediated by perceived insider position (Fig. 1).
Controlling role of supervisors’ traditionality: An emphasis on hierarchical differences, supervisors with high traditionality keeps information secret, expect followers to be told what to do and avoid interacting with subordinates inan open manner (Spreitzer et al., 2005). On the other hand, individuals with low traditionality are directed toward, self-reliance and openness (Hui et al., 2004). Supervisors’ traditionality is expected to influence the effects of active socialization behavior on outsiders’ perceived insider position. Supervisors with low traditionality who are willing to interact with subordinates in an openmanner (Spreitzer et al., 2005) can regard outsiders’ active socialization behavior as positive. Thus, when outsiders actively seek information about their jobs, supervisors with low traditionalityare disclose a wide range of information that can help outsiders clarify their role expectations. According to their roles, outsiders can easily adopt their organizations, directing to a sense of comprehensiveness to their organizations (Stamper and Masterson, 2002). According to social learning theory (Bandura, 1997), individuals copy a particular behavior that captures their attention through interaction with others. Such cases happen in Iran and as a result, people’s behaviors are likely to be affected byothers around them. Therefore, the supervisor is often perceived figures within a workgroup, employees are to learn about how to treat others from observation and interaction with their supervisors (Shamir et al., 1993). Therefore, other colleague may respond positively to active socialization behavior when working with supervisors with low traditionality. The feeling of responded by other colleagues as well as supervisors has a positive effect on outsiders’ feelings about how included they are in the organizations (Lapalme et al., 2009). On the other hand, supervisors with high traditionality who want to sustain their differential position prefer outsiders who strictly follow their guidance to those who take self-initiatives without acquiring their confirmation (Spreitzer et al., 2005). Additionally, supervisors with high traditionality emphasize top-down communication and hesitate to interact with subordinates in an open manner (Sanoubar and Moghadam, 2013), so, active outsiders may have difficulty in acquiring positive support from them. The less positive from their supervisors with high traditionality make the active outsiders perceive less comprehensiveness (Lapalme et al., 2009), because employees evaluate their position in a group on the basis of how authority figures treatthem (Tyler and Lind, 1992). To summarize, supervisors with high traditionality create a less supportive environmentfor active outsiders and make them feel less included. Thus, we suggest the following hypothesis:
Hypothesis 2: Supervisors’ traditionality influences the relationship between active socialization behavior andperceived insider position such that active socialization behaviors is more positively related to perceived insider position when supervisors’ traditionality is high than when it is low.
As mentioned before, a first-stage suchthat the intermediating effects of perceived insider positionon the relationships between active socialization behaviorand socialization effects are moderated by supervisors’ traditionality. Formally, we predict the following.
Hypothesis 3a: The indirect relationship between task performance andactive socialization behavior via perceived insider position is moderated by supervisors’ traditionality.
Hypothesis 3b: The indirect relationship between social integration and active socialization behavior via perceived insider position is moderated by supervisors’ traditionality.
We managed two studies to examine which discussed earlier. Investigate 1 aims to recognize the dimensions of active socialization behavior among Iranian employees. Investigate 2 examines the intermediating effects of perceived insider position and the controlling effects of supervisors’ traditionality on active socialization behavior among Iranian employees.
Investigate 1: We managed a multiphase investigate to recognize and verify the dimensions of active socialization behavior among Iranian new employees. In Phase 1, we created acombineactive socialization behavior from a group ofemployees who we asked to provide examples of various forms of active socialization behavior. In Phase 2, afocus group consisting of experts in management research reviewed and estimated this combine. In Phase 3, we purified the scale for the locally unique dimension of Iranian active socialization behavior.
Phase 1: We obtained182 part-time graduate students at two universities in Iran. All of the respondents had full-timejobs and 65% were women. They had an average age of 25.2 years (SD = 3.8) and had worked for an averageof four years (SD = 3.1). We provided these respondents with the following description: “When outsiders join acompany, they face uncertainty, frustration, anxiety and stress. In such circumstances, people may take certainindependently started and future-oriented actions directedto effect themselves and/or their environment”. We then asked themto provide specific examples of these behaviors. This process resulted in the documentation of 558 behaviors.
Phase 2: We asked eight expertise to view and categorize the 558 items using initial and confirmatory processes (Anderson and Wilson, 1997; Farh et al., 2004). First, each item categorized and then all items gathered together to discuss the differences. All items classified on the basis of three criteria: (i) Whether the item had clear meaning in the Iranian language; (ii) Whether the item referred to employee behavior and (iii) Whether the item was consistent with the meaning of the allocated variable name and did not overlap with other variable names. We considered 88 items (15.8%) were not usable” and thus we eliminate them, resulting in 470 usable items. Therefore, after discussion we agreed on a six-category system that could classify all 470 usable items into mutually exclusive categories.These categories were (1) Information seeking, (2) Feedback seeking, (3) General socializing, (4) Networking, (5) Relationship creating with a supervisor and (6) Establishing an informal interpersonal relationship characterized by an unlimited exchange of favors between two individuals (Alston, 1989). Thus, were cognizedsix dimensions of active socialization behavior-five dimensions commonly used in the Western literature and one dimension locally unique to Iran (i.e., establishing an informal interpersonal relationship characterized by an unlimited exchange of favors between two individuals (Alston, 1989). Therefore, regarding to the five common dimensions which were similar to the Ashford and Black (1996) items, we adopt to test the research hypotheses and maintain consistency across studies, allowing for comparison with Western literature.
For the developing dimension of No. 6 (establishing an informal interpersonal relationship characterized by an unlimited exchange of favors between two individuals (Alston, 1989), we extracted six items from the item combine: “Developed friendship with colleagues who may bebeneficial to you in the future”; “Maintained an intimate relationship with colleagues who may help you in thefuture”; “Bought meals or gave some presents to colleagues who may benefit you in the future”; “Joinedan informal group in the company whose members may be helpful to you”; “Spent time with colleagues whomay be beneficial to you during holidays or after office hours”; and “Shared your personal thoughts, problems, needs and feelings with colleagues who may help you in the future”.
Phase 3
Instrument refinement: Accordingly, we tested the reliability
and validity of these six items by usinganother sample. We recruited a total
of 262 recent university graduates employed in a different organizations. The
average age of these participants was 25.7 years (SD = 1.5) and their average
years of work experience were 2.2 (SD = 1.2). Of the respondents, 40% were female.
We asked the respondents to indicate which out of the six items match the general
practices developing dimension of No. 6 on a 5-point Likert-type scale (from
1 = to no extent to 5 = to a great extent). The results showed good reliability
(a = 0.87) and the exploratory factor analysis using component analysis and
varimax rotation showed that the six items were loaded in a single component.
As a result, we measured all the six items.
Investigate 2: Investigate 2 examines how perceived insider position mediates the effects of active socialization behavior onsocialization effects and how supervisors’ traditionality moderates these relationships.
Organizational context: We managed the present investigation in three manufacturing organizations in west of Iran: A private enterprise and aplastic equipment sector and another enterprise in the telecommunications sector. All these organizations use asophisticated technology. First author acquired the participation of these three organizationson the basis of her personal network and contacted the top management in each organization. All agreed toparticipate in the investigation under the condition that they receive copies of the results. Their main tasks include materials handling, machine operation and equipment maintenance.
Sample and procedures: To follow Morrison et al. (2004) and Wanberg and Kammeyer-Mueller (2000). Researchon active socialization behavior which recruited period of employees was less than one year.We collected the data from 576 Iranian subordinates and 102 Iranian supervisors working in three organizations (91% response rate, ranging from 84 to 95% by organization). Among the question naire sixteen were incomplete and we eliminate that, therefore, leaving 560 sets for further analyses. At each organization, we asked the human resources manager to distribute the questionnaires among the employees who had worked in the organization for less than one year. The respondents directly returned completed question naires to the human resource manager of each organization. The supervisors reported their own level of traditionality as well as their subordinates’ task performance and social integration. Outsiders reported their active socialization behavior and perceived insider position.
Measures
Active socialization behavior: To measure active socialization behavior,
we adopted (Ashford and Black, 1996) four dimensions
of activity: Information seeking and general socializing, networking and relationship
creating with boss. We also added the six-item scale developed in investigation
1 to estimate Iranian outsiders’ developing dimension of No. 6 (establishing
an informal interpersonal relationship characterized by an unlimited exchange
of favors between two individuals (Alston, 1989). We
asked the outsiders since joined the company to show the extent to which they
had performed the various active socialization behavior (from 1 = no extent,
5 = great extent). As the correlations among the sub-dimensions of active socialization
behavior ranged from 0.55 and 0.72, we ran a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)
with the five dimensions as lower level hidden variables by using AMOS 8.0 (Arbuckle,
2005). The second order CFA results showed that dimensions of active socialization
behavior tap into the same basic construct (x2 = 636.75, df = 261,
p<0.01; RMSEA = 0.06; CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.91). The results suggest that active
socialization behavior can be tested at either the dimensional level or the
construct level. According to our hypotheses following previous research (Ashforth
et al., 2007) we combined all dimensions to forma composite.
Perceived insider position: We used a 5-item scale validated by Stamper and Masterson (2002), to measure Perceived insider position. We asked them to rate how important each value was for them as a guiding principle in their lives (from 1= strongly disagree, to 5 = strongly agree).
Task performance: We used a 5-item scale validated by Aryee et al. (2004), to measure Task performance. We asked them to rate how important each value was for them as a guiding principle in their lives (from 1 = strongly disagree, to 5 = strongly agree).
Social integration: We used (Kim et al., 2009) 2-item scale to measure outsiders’ social integration. We asked supervisors to evaluate their subordinates on a 5-point Likert-typescale (from 1 = needs much improvement to 5 = excellent).
Supervisors’ traditionality: We used a 4-item scale validated by Farh et al. (1997) to measure supervisors’ traditionality. We asked supervisorsto estimate their own levels of traditionality. Specifically, we asked them to rate how important each value was forthem as a guiding principle in their lives (from 1 = very unimportant to 5 = very important).
Control variables: The analyses controlled for outsiders’ genders, matching between supervisor and subordinate becausethese could explain for variances in performance ratings (Turban and Jones, 1988). We controlled outsiders’ age and education levels because these could reflect life experiences related to the socialization process (Allen, 2006; Bauerand Green,1998). We also controlled their organizational period becausethis could influence socialization effects (Klein et al., 2006).
Analyses: According to the multilevel data with subordinates placed within supervisors, we managed Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) analyses by using the software HLM 6.09 (Raudenbush et al., 2004) to test the controlling effects of supervisors’ traditionality on the relationship between active socialization behavior and perceived insider position., we analyzed supervisors’ traditionality at the supervisor level of analysis (level2) and active socialization behavior and perceived insider position at the individual level of analysis (level 1). Inaddition, we applied a coefficients test (MacKinnon et al., 2002) and used the bootstrap sampling method (bootstrap sample size = 5000) (MacKinnon et al., 2004). Finally, we applied Edwards and Lambert (2007) procedure to testhow supervisors’ traditionality moderates the indirect relationships that active socialization behavior has withtask performance and social integration via perceived insider position.
RESULTS
We managed CFAs to estimate the discriminant validity of the measures. According to items in our model, we arrange three items for supervisors’ traditionality, task performance and perceived insider position by averaging the highest and lowest loadings sequentially (Anonymous, 2011; Jounnaqi et al., 2010). Therefore, this reduce the number of parameters for accurate estimation. As a good model requires the values of CFI and TLIto be greater than 0.90 (Hu and Bentler, 1999). The value of RMSEA has to be lower than 0.07 (Browne and Cudeck, 1993). The CFA results showed that the supposed four factor measurement model fits the data comparatively well (x2 = 340.02, df = 131, p<0.01; RMSEA = 0.07; CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.93) and better than a four factor model combining perceived insider position and social integration (x2 = 450.21, df = 135, p<0.01; RMSEA = 0.08; CFI = 0.90; TLI = 0.91), a two factormodel combining constructs reported by outsiders and those reported by their supervisors, respectively (x2 = 1621.332, df = 144, p<0.01; RMSEA = 0.19; CFI = 0.66; TLI = 0.61) and the one-factor model (x2 = 2122.18, df = 1141, p<0.01; RMSEA = 0.26; CFI = 0.51; TLI = 0.43), supporting the discriminant validity for the measured variables. We report the descriptive statistics, reliability estimates and correlations for all measures in Table 1. All reliability estimates go beyond 0.72. As expected, active socialization behavior was significantly correlated with perceived insider position, task performance and social integration (i.e., r = 0.40, p<0.01; r = 0.39, p<0.01; r = 0.55, p<0.01, respectively), suggesting that outsiders who committed in active socialization behavior were performbetter in their jobs and social relationships as well as feel more included. Hypothesis 1 suggested that the effects of active socialization behavior on (1) Task performance and (2) Socialintegration would be mediated by perceived insider position.
| Table 1: | Means, correlations and coefficients for study variables |
| Employee n = 560; supervisor n = 102 **p<0.01; *p<0.05 (two-tailed) | |
| Table 2: | Results of HLM analyses for perceived insider position |
| aThese are R-square differences compared with those of the previous model. Model 1 was compared with the null model. *p<0.01 | |
| Table 3: | Effects of active socialization behavior and perceived insider positions on task performance and social integration |
| **p<0.01; *p<0.05 | |
The result of Model 1 in Table 2 shows thatactive socialization behavior was significantly related to perceived insiderposition (y = 0.55, p<0.01). Moreover, perceived insider position was significantly related to task performance and social integration (γ = 0.58, p<0.01; γ = 0.65, p<0.01, respectively, Model 2 in Table 3). The bootstrapping test confirmed that the indirect effectsofactive socialization behavior on task performance and social integration via perceived insider position were significant. These results support Hypothesis 1. As well as, organization variables werepositively related with perceived insider position (Table 2) and social integration (Model 1 in Table 3).
| Fig. 2: | Simple slopes of active socialization behavior on perceived insider position at levels of supervisors’ traditionality |
These results suggest that outsiders from state-owned enterprises perceived ahigher level of insider position and obtained a higher social integration than outsiders from private enterprises. It is possible that in Iran, where people prefer state-owned enterprises to private enterprises because of higher salaries and better paths, outsiders have more information about these two types of organizations before they enter and thus better adjust to these organizations after they enter (Riordan et al., 2001). When the relationship becomes weaker as supervisors’ traditionality increases, supervisors’ traditionality moderate the relationship between active socialization behavior and perceived insider position (Hypothesis 2). The results of Model 3 in Table 2 show that the interaction condition between active socialization behavior and supervisors’ traditionality significantly affected perceived insider position (y = -0.12, p<0.01). When supervisors’ traditionality was low (simple slope = 0.68, p<0.01), the tests of simple slopes indicated that the positive relationship between active socialization behavior and perceived insider position was statistically significant but weaker when supervisors’ traditionality was high (simple slope = 0.35, p<0.01) (Fig. 2). Thus, Hypothesis 2 is supported. When the relationships become weaker as supervisors’ traditionality increases, the active socialization behavior has with task performance and social integration via perceived insider position, hypotheses 3a and 3b stated the supervisors’ traditionality moderate the indirect relationships. The moderated path analytic procedures showed that the path linking active socialization behavior and perceived insider position and then task performance and social integration, varied significantly as a function of supervisor’s traditionality (Edwards and Lambert, 2007).
| Fig. 3: | Indirect effects of active socialization behavior on socialization outcomes via perceived insider position at levels of supervisors’ traditionality |
When supervisor’s traditionality is low (simple slope = 0.50, p<0.01), the simple slope of the indirect effect of active socialization behavior on task performance via perceived insider position is significant but became weaker when supervisor’s traditionality was high (simple slope = 0.38, p<0.01). In addition, when supervisor’s traditionality is low (simple slope = 0.68, p<0.01), the simple slope of the indirect effect of active socialization behavior on social integration via perceived insider position is significant but became weaker when supervisor’s traditionality was high (simple slope = 0.56, p<0.01). Therefore, these results are support the Hypotheses 3a and 3b (Fig. 3). As a supplementary analysis, we tested the significance developing dimension of No. 6 (establishing an informal interpersonal relationship characterized by an unlimited exchange of favors between two individuals (Alston, 1989), in explaining the variance in socialization effects beyond other dimensions of active socialization behavior. As anadditional analysis, we tested the significance of developing dimension of No. 6 in explaining the variance in socialization effects beyond other dimensions of active socialization behavior. Entering developing dimension of No. 6 as a separate step following to the entry of the other dimensions of active socialization behavior and the controlvariables did significantly improve R-square for social integration but not for task performance (ΔR2 = 0.04, p<0.01; ΔR2 = 0.00, respectively).
DISCUSSION
This research recognize the dimensions of active socialization behavior among Iranian employees and improves a model investigating the intermediating effects of perceived insider position and the controlling effects of supervisors’ traditionality on the relationships between active socialization behavior and outsiders’ socialization effects (i.e., task performance and social integration).
These results suggest theoretical implications for active socialization behavior research and as well as suggest several opportunities. One of the result of this investigation areuniversal and can be generalized across different cultures. But some dimensions are may not be applied to other cultures. On the other hand, we found developing dimension of No. 6 (establishing an informal interpersonal relationship characterized by an unlimited exchange of favors between two individuals (Alston, 1989), as a locally unique activity dimension among Iranian employees. Although developing dimension of No. 6 focus on interpersonal relationships, also targets someone who can be helpful to the focal person, whereas relationship creating targets a broad scope of people (e.g., department members) which is different from Fig. 3. The indirect effects ofactive socialization behavior on socialization effects via perceived insider position at levelsof supervisors’ traditionality relationship creating activities usually restricted to the workplace, developing dimension of No. 6 (establishing an informal interpersonal relationship characterized by an unlimited exchange of favors between two individuals; (Alston, 1989), developing includes after-work activities (Sanoubar and Moghadam, 2013; Jounnaqi et al., 2010). According to the scarcity of research which active socialization behavior influences socialization effects, it should be confirm the intermediating effects of perceived insider position on the relationships between active socialization behavior and socialization effects. Our results can increase our understanding about how outsiders with high active socialization behavior contribute to their organizations and better perform than those with low active socialization behavior and thus expanding the homological network of active socialization behavior. In addition, supervisors’ traditionality significantly mitigates the effects of outsiders active socialization behavior on their perceived insider position, task performance and social integration. Moreover, as supervisors’ traditionality increases, the effects of active socialization behavior on outsiders’ effects become weaker. These results suggest that supervisors’ traditionality can be constraint for active Iranian outsiders from gaining insider position and appropriate socialization effects. These findings extend current activity research (Elanain, 2007; Ersoy et al., 2011) by showing the role of situational factors in the effects of active socialization behavior on outsiders’ socialization effects. In addition, the differences in the indirect effects of active socialization behavior on task performance and social integration via perceived insider position across the levels of supervisors’ traditionality were minor. The results of the investigation have practical implications for organizations and supervisors.
Limitations and future research: The limitations of this research as follow: First, we collected the data ininvestigation 2 at a single time, raising questions about the direction of causality. Although the predictions were based on the active socialization behavior and perceived insider position affect socialization effects, we cannot eliminate that employees who perform their tasks well or integrate well and to commit in active socialization behavior. Future research need to develop a better and more responsive theory to shed light on how active socialization behavior leads to socialization effects. For example, future research needs to investigate other contextual variables that can improve the effects of active socialization behavior on employee effects. Such research attempt the understanding of the role of traditionality in organizations beyond its effects on employees’ reactions toward superiors (Farh et al., 1997, 2004; Hui et al., 2004). It will also be interesting to link or compare traditionality to other measures related to personal values of people in Iran in investigating their roles in the effect of active socialization behavior. Finally, future research may benefit from investigating locally unique dimensions of active socialization behavior in other countries. However, the current investigation research hypotheses include complex moderated mediation relationships between supervisors’ traditionality and supervis or estimated outsiders effects rather than linear relationships; thus, the potential response bias may notbe a serious concern. Future research needs to supplement supervisory assessment of employee effects with other methods such as objective data or peer rating.