ANTICIPATORY SOCIALIZATION DYNAMICS

Abstract

This article aims to understand anticipatory socialisation, the upstream stage in the process of organizational socialisation. Articulating the theoretical framework of person-organization fit and the few works on this stage that is little studied in the literature, a unique case study was carried out. On the basis of 38 interviews, our results enrich Feldman’s reference model of organizational socialisation. We distinguish between anticipatory socialisation and organizational pre-socialisation. We show the development of a dynamic of mobilization of the cognitive, social and emotional resources of the individual to build a favourable representation of the relationship with a potential employer. These results involve managerial and societal issues, as understanding this stage will make the job search and recruitment of new employees more effective.