Impact of Socialization Tactics on Socialization-Specific Adjustment Via PsyCap: A Lens of COR Theory

Abstract

Based on conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study proposes an integrative model, whereby socialization caravan passageways—socialization tactics—shape a resource caravan of PsyCap (psychological capital) that newcomers rely upon to achieve socialization-specific adjustment outcomes. SmartPLS 3.0 is mainly used to analyze the data and this model exhibits acceptable levels of structural equation modeling (SEM) fit indices in a sample of 368 respondents from 16 luxury hotels in Hainan Province, China. Study results indicate that socialization tactics have a positive influence on PsyCap, which in turn affects all six adjustment outcomes including task mastery, fitting in, standing out, role negotiation, membership identification, and interpersonal relationships. Our findings are informative and valuable because socialization resources theory (SRT) represents a new approach to capturing the dynamics of newcomer socialization phenomenon with important implications for theory, research, and practice.