Newcomers' Socialization by Intranet System

Abstract

Newcomers¡¦ socialization is an important issue to organizations. It wastes finances if they have to recruit new members again and again. Nowadays, Intranet applications provide a new format by which companies can take advantage. Intranet is a popular in house system used within the company. Intranet use is unavoidable when new staff members begin their job. It¡¦s possible to help keep newcomers from changing positions by using the Intranet to improve their socialization. This study aims to understand how Intranet information affects information-seeking behavior in the process of newcomers¡¦ organizational socialization. The results are as follows: (1) From an information perspective, newcomers are passive in receiving information via the Intranet. Newcomers primarily get reference information from the Intranet, followed by appraisal information, and then relationship information. It¡¦s helpful for understanding their job as well as the organization and history of organizational socialization. (2) From a communication perspective, the newcomers are aggressive in seeking information from the Intranet. Most newcomers primarily get relationship information, followed by reference information, and then appraisal information from the Intranet. It¡¦s helpful in understanding the task proficiency requirements, people, language and politics of organizational socialization. The study conclusions show that the Intranet system is helpful in information seeking and socialization from both information and communication perspectives. Also, information and communication perspectives are complementary to each other in regard to newcomer socialization. Constructing an excellent Intranet system will improve newcomers¡¦ socialization better and faster. The Intranet can become a useful and people-inclusive socialization environment.