Welcome to Our (Divided) Team

Abstract

Abstract: Since team colleagues and leaders are the first points of contact for organizational newcomers, they could play an important role in newcomers’ socialization success. On the basis of the social identity approach and signaling theory, we expect perceived subgroups in the team and leader–member exchange (LMX), respectively, to predict socialization outcomes (i. e., social integration, organizational attractiveness, intentions to remain). Furthermore, we expect psychological safety to mediate these processes. We conducted a two-wave field study ( N = 56 interns) and an experimental vignette study ( N = 144 students). Results showed perceived subgroups (only in Study 2) and LMX to be related to socialization outcomes. Study 2 showed these relationships to be mediated by psychological safety. Thus, newcomers’ perceptions of their team and leader may be important in determining whether newcomers feel integrated and perceive their organization as attractive to remain in. Human resources practitioners should make organizational insiders aware of their role in newcomer socialization.