Linking dimensions of socialization to affective organizational commitment and intention to quit: A cross-lagged analysis

Past studies have shown that socialization influenced work attitudes of new employees. Although socialization has often been studied as a one-dimensional concept, Haueter and et al. (2003) defined three dimensions: organization, task, and group. To the best of our knowledge, only one study conducted in 2009 has investigated the impact of these dimensions on affective organizational commitment and intention to quit. Since then, no subsequent research has examined these relationships in greater depth. To expand knowledge on socialization, our study investigates the relationships between these three dimensions, affective organizational commitment, and intention to quit. During their socialization process, 246 Belgian military candidates completed an online questionnaire two (Time 1) and nine weeks (Time 2) after joining the military organization. Cross-lagged analyses revealed positive reciprocal relationships between affective organizational commitment and two dimensions (organization and group), as well as negative reciprocal relationships between these two dimensions and intention to quit. No significant relationship was found for the task dimension of socialization. This study highlights the importance of interventions aimed at fostering the organization and group dimensions of socialization, strengthening affective organizational commitment, and reducing intention to quit among military candidates.