Does Protean Career Orientation Offset the Function of Institutionalized Socialization Tac tics on the Intention to Quit?: Investigation of Time-lag Influences

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores how personal factors can differentiate the impact of socialization tactics on newcomers' intentions to quit. We specifically focused on protean career orientation as a personal factor and investigated its moderating effect on the relationship between the level of institutionalization of organizational socialization tactics and the intention to quit. Design/methodology/approach: We examined the time-lag effects by conducting surveys with the same participants at two different points: three months (T1) and six months (T2) after their entry into the organization. Findings: The results at T1 indicated that institutionalized socialization was associated with a reduced intention to quit. At this stage, there was no significant moderating effect from protean career orientation. However, by T2, a significant moderating effect of protean career orientation emerged. Specifically, the reduction in intention to quit observed at T1 was counterbalanced (offset) only for individuals with a high level of protean career orientation. Research limitations/implications: This result suggests that the positive effect of institutionalized socialization tactics for highly protean individuals may be temporary and difficult to maintain over time. Originality/value: This paper empirically suggests that newcomers learn different things from socialization processes based on their protean career orientation, which consequently influences their attitudinal outcomes.