Managing organizational entry in China : the roles of newcomer–supervisor exchange, incumbent support, and perceived insider status

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

The International Journal of Human Resource Management

Publication Date

8-10-2016

Volume

Advance online publication

Publisher

Routledge

Keywords

Perceived insider status, newcomer–supervisor exchange, incumbent support, social adjustment, task mastery

Abstract

The socialization literature has long recognized the important role of perceived insider status in facilitating newcomer adjustment, but knowledge on how to cultivate this desirable psychological state is limited. This study examines newcomer–supervisor exchange as an antecedent of perceived insider status of newcomers, which in turn facilitates their social adjustment and task mastery during organizational entry. We also explore incumbent support as a boundary condition for these effects. We conducted a survey study on 320 new employees and 92 supervisors in China. This study revealed that newcomer–supervisor exchange was related positively to newcomers’ perceived insider status, and perceived insider status mediated the positive relationships of newcomer–supervisor exchange with social adjustment and task mastery. In addition, incumbent support moderated the positive relationship between newcomer–supervisor exchange and perceived insider status, as well as the positive mediated relationships of newcomer–supervisor exchange with social adjustment and task mastery through perceived insider status. Specifically, these relationships were weaker when incumbent support was higher. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

DOI

10.1080/09585192.2016.1216879

Print ISSN

09585192

E-ISSN

14664399

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2016 Informa UK limited, trading as Taylor & Francis group. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Ou, Z., Wang, J., & Chen, T. (2016). Managing organizational entry in China: The roles of newcomer–supervisor exchange, incumbent support, and perceived insider status. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09585192.2016.1216879

Share

COinS