Management Studies in Development and Evolution

Modeling the Identity Development Process of Newcomers in the Electricity Industry: The Role of Organizational Socialization, Social Validation, and Person–Group Fit

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Jaleh Farzaneh Hssanzadeh 1
Vahid Nasehifar 2

1 Assistant Professor , Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Administration and Economics , Khayyam University ,Mashhad , Iran

2 Professor , Department of Business Administration ,Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allame Tabataba’i University, Tehran,, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22054/jmsd.2025.87929.4687
Abstract
This study investigates the role of organizational socialization in shaping newcomers’ identity within Iran’s electricity industry. Drawing on social identity theory, a conceptual model was developed in which organizational socialization strategies were considered as predictors, perceived social affirmation as a mediating variable, and person–group fit as a moderating variable. Data were collected through a quantitative survey of 150 newly recruited employees at the Tehran Regional Electricity Company. To test the hypotheses, the PROCESS Macro approach was employed to examine direct, mediating, and moderating effects. The findings revealed that organizational socialization positively and significantly influenced both team identity and organizational identity through the mediating role of perceived social affirmation. Moreover, person–group fit strengthened the relationship between social affirmation and team identity, but it did not show a significant moderating effect on organizational identity. These results enrich the literature on organizational behavior and human resource development by highlighting the importance of effective socialization strategies, supportive work environments, and value alignment in facilitating adaptation and identity formation among newcomers in public service organizations, particularly within the electricity sector.

Keywords

Organizational Socialization
Social Identity Theory
Team Identity
Person–Group Fit
Social Validation
Subjects
Management Studies in Development and Evolution

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 March 2026

  • Receive Date 24 September 2025
  • Revise Date 21 November 2025
  • Accept Date 29 November 2025

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