The relationship between the amount and helpfulness of entry training and work outcomes

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the amount and helpfulness of entry training and work outcomes for newcomers during organizational socialization. A sample of 152 newly-hired entry-level professionals completed a questionnaire after the first 6 months of socialization. Supervisor ratings of job performance were obtained 4 months later. The results indicated that the amount of training received by newcomers was significantly related to job satisfaction, commitment, intention to quit, ability to cope, and several measures of job performance. Newcomers' perceptions of the helpfulness of training was significantly related to job satisfaction, commitment, and intention to quit beyond that explained by training amount. However, none of the amount x helpfulness interactions were significant. Ln addition, newcomers' anxiety was found to mediate the relationship between training and ability to cope, and to partially mediate the training relationships with job satisfaction, commitment, and intention to quit. These results provide support for the increasing use of training during socialization and its importance for newcomers and organizations.