An Interactional Approach to Organizations’ Success in Socializing Their Intern Newcomers: The Role of General Self-Efficacy and Organizational Socialization Inventory

Abstract

Using an interactionist approach, this study examined the effects of the general self-efficacy (GSE) and the organizational socialization inventory (OSI) domains, as well as the GSE × OSI domains on tourism and hospitality organizations’ success—newcomer perceived general job satisfaction (GJS) and intent to return (ITR)—in socializing their intern newcomers. The sample included 352 senior tourism and hospitality undergraduates from two institutions of higher education in tourism and hospitality in China’s Hainan Island who just experienced organizational socialization in their respective placement organizations. Results indicated that intern newcomers’ GJS and ITR can be significantly predicted by GSE and all OSI domains, respectively; that GJS can be incrementally explained by all the interactions between GSE and the four OSI domains, except for the GSE × OSI_training; and that ITR can be incrementally explained by the interactions of GSE × OSI_training and GSE × OSI_future prospect. The study’s findings as well as their theoretical and practical implications are discussed within the context of organizational socialization research, GSE-related social cognitive career theory and core self-evaluation theory, and human resource development practices in tourism and hospitality organizations.