BUILDING MULTI-TARGET COMMITMENT THROUGH WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING: THE ROLES OF PROACTIVE SOCIALIZATION BEHAVIOURS AND ORGANIZATIONAL SOCIALIZATION DOMAINS

Abstract

This research tested the relationships between 2905
newcomers’ proactive socialization behaviours and
two outcomes – organizational socialization domains
and unidimensional target-free commitment – in
the particular context of short-term contracts prior
to graduating. The short-term contracts were fourmonth work-integrated learning work terms built
into a student’s degree requirements. Results from
multiple regressions supported the direct relationships
between proactive socialization behaviours and two
outcomes of organizational socialization domains
and unidimensional target-free commitment. In
addition, a mediating effect of socialization domains
in the relationship between proactive socialization
behaviours and commitment (to the team and to the
work) was revealed. Findings indicated that even
in temporary short-term employment, individuals
mastered socialization in organizational domains
and developed multiple paths to nurture several links
between themselves and their organizations with
respect to commitment. The discussion focuses on the
theoretical and practical implications of the findings
and provides recommendations for future research