Support or evaluate? The multifaceted role of supervisors during the newcomer socialization process

This study develops theory related to how the socialization process occurs from the supervisor’s perspective. Using interview data from 102 supervisors, we find that most supervisors simultaneously evaluate (using monitor behaviors) and promote (using inform and support behaviors) newcomers’ fits. Supervisors do so by switching their focus three times: first, from general employability to person–group fit; second, from person–group fit to person–job fit; and third, from person–job fit to person–organization fit. We observed variations in the order in which supervisors evaluated and promoted newcomers’ types of fits. However, we found that supervisors evaluated and promoted newcomers’ fits consistently following the same order in terms of fit paradigms: first adopting a demands–abilities fit paradigm, then a needs–supplies fit paradigm, and finally a value congruence fit paradigm. We contribute to the socialization and fit literatures.