Researching Organisational Entry From a Perspective of Newcomer Innovation

The paper outlines preliminary considerations from a doctoral case study on organizational entry from an analytical perspective of newcomer innovation. Organizational entry processes are researched from a reciprocal perspective of newcomer, co-worker and hiring supervisor. All interviewees are employed in support functions of a large private sector industrial company in Denmark. Interpreting multi-perspective interview accounts of newcomer – veteran interactions the paper suggests viewing organizations as complex responsive processes (Stacey, 2010, 2011) and understanding socialization in terms of establishing a workplace-related Self and acquiring a sense of ‘generalized others’ (Mead, 1934) in the organization.