Newcomers’ relationship-building behavior, mentor information sharing and newcomer adjustment: The moderating effects of perceived mentor and newcomer deep similarity

Zheng, Yuyan; Zheng, Xiaotong (Janey); Wu, Chia-Huei; Yao, Xiang; Wang, Yi

Abstract

Drawing on similarity-attraction theory, we propose that relationship-building behaviors from newcomers are more positively related to information-sharing behaviors from mentors when they perceive a deep similarity with the newcomers, and that mentors' information sharing is likely to be well received by newcomers when they perceive a deep similarity with their mentors. We also hypothesize that newcomers' perceived mentor information sharing is positively associated with newcomer adjustment (i.e., role clarity and job performance). A time-lagged study with a total of 99 newcomers and their mentors was conducted within three months of newcomers entering the company. The results support our hypotheses, suggesting that perceived deep similarity is a key factor that associates with the effectiveness of newcomers' proactivity and mentors' information sharing behavior in newcomer adjustment.

Citation

Zheng, Y., Zheng, X. (., Wu, C., Yao, X., & Wang, Y. (2021). Newcomers’ relationship-building behavior, mentor information sharing and newcomer adjustment: The moderating effects of perceived mentor and newcomer deep similarity. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 125, Article 103519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103519

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 16, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 11, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Deposit Date: Nov 18, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 11, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Vocational Behavior
• Print ISSN: 0001-8791
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 125
• Article Number: 103519
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103519
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1250684