Determinants of new hire information‐seeking during organizational encounter

Abstract

This study describes the relative influence of a set of individual (i.e., self‐esteem, tolerance for ambiguity), relational (i.e., perceived social costs of seeking information), and organizational factors (i.e., social support, mode of socialization) on new hire (n = 200) information‐seeking. A LISREL analysis suggests that organizational newcomers' information‐seeking strategy preferences are determined, in part, by the perceived social costs of seeking information they face. Post‐hoc analyses further reveal that perceived social costs of seeking information helps determine who new hires target with overt requests for information. In turn, social support and mode of socialization‐were found to contribute to newcomers' perceived social costs of seeking information. This article concludes with limitations, suggestions for future research, and implications for practitioners.