Stages in socialization Process:

 Socialization can be conceptualized as a process made up of three stages.

 a. Pre-arrival Stage:

 This stage explicitly recognizes that each individual arrives with a set of organizational values, attitudes, and expectations. For instance, in many jobs, particularly high skilled and managerial jobs, new members will have undergone a considerable degree of prior socialization in training and in school. Pre-arrival socialization, however, goes beyond the specific job. The selection process is used in most organizations to inform perspective employees about the organization as whole. In addition, of course, interviews in the selection process also act to ensure the inclusion of the “right type” determining those who will fit in.  Indeed, the ability of the individuals to present the appropriate face during the selection process determines their ability to move into the organization in the first place. Thus success depends upon the degree to which aspiring members have correctly anticipated the expectations and desires of those in the organization in charge of selection.

 b. Encounter Stage:

 Upon entry into the organization, new members enter the encounter stage. Here the individuals confront the possible dichotomy between their expectations about their jobs, their supervisors, and the organization in general and reality. If expectations prove to have been more or less accurate, the encounter state merely provides a reaffirmation of the perceptions generated earlier. However, this is often not the case. Where expectation and reality differ; new employees must undergo socialization that will detach them from their previous assumption and replace these with the organization’s pivotal standards.

 c. Metamorphosis Stage:

 Finally the new member must workout any problems discovered during the encounter stage. Metamorphosis is complete as is the socialization process – when new members have become comfortable with the organization and their work teams. In this situation they will have internalized the norms of the organization and they understand and accept these norms. New members will feel accepted by their peers as trusted and valued individuals. They will have gained an understanding of the organizational system- not only their own tasks but the rules, procedures and informally accepted practices as well. Finally they will know how they are going to be evaluated. They will know what is expected of them and what constitutes a good job. Consequently, successful metamorphosis should have positive effect on a new employee’s productivity and the employee’s commitment to the organization, and should reduce the likelihood that the employee will leave the organization any time soon.