The Effects of Coworkers'Aggressive Humor on Newcomers' Organizational Socialization Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing on the strength model of self-control, the current study uses the ego depletion as the mediating variable and proactive personality as the moderating variable to construct a moderated mediation model to explore the influences of coworkers' aggressive humor on the newcomers' organizational socialization outcomes. Through an empirical study with 134 matched supervisor-subordinate samples from a large rail transit equipment manufacturing company, the results show that (1) coworkers' aggressive humor has a negative influence on newcomers' in-role performance, task mastery, and social adjustment through the mediation of ego depletion; (2) proactive personality can weaken the effect of coworkers' aggressive humor on newcomers' ego depletion; (3) proactive personality can weaken the indirect influences of coworkers' aggressive humor on newcomer socialization through ego depletion. The current study contributes to expanding the research field of aggressive humor and organizational socialization, provides certain guiding significance for organization to reduce aggressive humor, help newcomers better adjust into the organization, and create a harmonious climate in organization.

Key words: coworkers' aggressive humor, proactive personality, ego depletion, newcomers, organizational socialization

Zhang Mingyu, Liu Pan, Wu Wen, Zhang Yihua. The Effects of Coworkers'Aggressive Humor on Newcomers' Organizational Socialization Outcomes[J]. Management Review, 2020, 32(9): 182-192.

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