Understanding Newcomers' Adaptability and Work-Related Outcomes: Testing the Mediating Roles of Perceived P-E Fit Variables

Personnel Psychology, Vol. 64, 2011

27 Pages Posted: 16 Jul 2015 Last revised: 18 Jul 2015

See all articles by Mo Wang

Mo Wang

University of Florida - Department of Management

Yujie Zhan

University of Maryland

Elizabeth McCune

Portland State University - Department of Psychology

Donald M. Truxillo

Portland State University - Department of Psychology

Date Written: 2011

Abstract

Using longitudinal data from a Chinese newcomer sample (N = 671), we investigated the predictive effects of adaptability on newcomers’ work-related outcomes. Specifically, we tested 4 perceived P-E fit variables (i.e., P-O fit, needs – supplies fit, demands – abilities fit, and P-G fit) as mediators between adaptability variables and newcomers’ work-related outcomes. Our results showed that after controlling for demographic effects and other personality variables (i.e., proactive personality and openness to experience), newcomers’ adaptability dimensions (i.e., cultural adaptability, work stress adaptability, interpersonal adaptability, and learning adaptability) were differentially associated with improvement in newcomers’ P-E fit perceptions over a 3-month time period. In turn, the perceived P-E fit variables were related to the newcomers’ work-related outcomes (i.e., job performance, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions), after controlling for the socialization process variables (i.e., institutionalized socialization experience, role clarity, and job-related self-efficacy). The mediating roles of perceived P-E fit variables were also confirmed. Both theoretical and practical implications in terms of adaptability, newcomer adaptation processes, and P-E fit are discussed.

Suggested Citation

Wang, Mo and Zhan, Yujie and McCune, Elizabeth and Truxillo, Donald M., Understanding Newcomers' Adaptability and Work-Related Outcomes: Testing the Mediating Roles of Perceived P-E Fit Variables (2011). Personnel Psychology, Vol. 64, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2631167

Mo Wang (Contact Author)

University of Florida - Department of Management ( email )

United States

Yujie Zhan

University of Maryland ( email )

College Park
College Park, MD 20742
United States

Elizabeth McCune

Portland State University - Department of Psychology ( email )

OR 97221
United States

Donald M. Truxillo

Portland State University - Department of Psychology ( email )

OR 97221
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
86
Abstract Views
665
Rank
527,956
PlumX Metrics