Student Affairs New Professionals Employee Orientation Programs' Relationship with ...

110 Pages·2016·1.18 MB·English

Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Knowledge Repository @ IUP
Theses and Dissertations (All)
7-23-2013
Student Affairs New Professionals Employee
Orientation Programs' Relationship with
Organizational Socialization
Amy L. Cotner-Klinger
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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Recommended Citation
Cotner-Klinger, Amy L., "Student Affairs New Professionals Employee Orientation Programs' Relationship with Organizational
Socialization" (2013).Theses and Dissertations (All). 32.
http://knowledge.library.iup.edu/etd/32
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STUDENT AFFAIRS NEW PROFESSIONALS
EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION PROGRAMS’ RELATIONSHIP WITH
ORGANIZATIONAL SOCIALIZATION

A Dissertation
Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies and Research
in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education

Amy L. Cotner-Klingler
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
May 2013
©2013 Amy L. Cotner-Klingler

All Rights Reserved
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Indiana University of Pennsylvania
School of Graduate Studies and Research
Department of Professional Studies in Education

We hereby approve the dissertation of

Amy L. Cotner-Klingler

Candidate for the degree of Doctor in Education

_____________________________ ________________________________
Jennifer Rotigel, D.Ed.
Professor of Education, Advisor
Department of Professional Studies in
Education

_____________________________ ________________________________
George Bieger, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
Department of Professional Studies in
Education

_____________________________ ________________________________
Kelli Jo Kerry-Moran, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Department of Professional Studies in
Education

ACCEPTED

______________________________________________ ______________________
Timothy P. Mack, Ph.D.
School of Graduate Studies and Research

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Title: Student Affairs New Professionals Employee Orientation Programs’ Relationship with
Organizational Socialization

Author: Amy L. Cotner-Klingler

Dissertation Chair: Dr. Jennifer Rotigel

Dissertation Committee: Dr. George Beiger
Dr. Kelli Jo Kerry-Moran

This quantitative study explored self-reported orientation and organizational socialization
experiences of new student affairs professionals through a survey instrument constructed by the
researcher and administered online. Individuals who identified themselves as entry level
professionals through membership of the American College Personnel Association were invited
to respond to the online survey. The survey examined if there was a relationship between
orientation and organizational socialization. In addition, this study sought to identify significant
differences and predictability of individuals’ organizational socialization.
Results included the finding that individuals who participated in a purposeful orientation
program were more highly socialized in their organization than those who did not participate in
an orientation program. In addition, significant differences in individuals’ organizational
socialization were recognized between professionals who had participated in orientation and/or
had previous student affairs experience compared to those who did not participate in orientation
and/or did not have previous student affairs experience. Finally, it was determined that
purposeful orientation had a unique attribute in the prediction of organizational socialization.
Implications for practice included suggestions for a human resource orientation plan as
well as suggestions for supervisors of new professionals. In addition, the researcher provided
recommendations for future research.
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DEDICATION

I dedicate this to my family. It is my desire that my children Kirtis, Nicholis, and Noah
value the importance of education. In addition, I hope they discover they can accomplish
anything they want through hard work and sacrifice. To my loving husband, Gary Klingler, who
has encouraged me throughout my career and education, often times before I knew I was ready
for the next step. To my loving parents, Kay and Tom Cotner, who taught me one can
accomplish anything one sets her mind to through hard work and dedication. And to my
grandparents, Lloyd and Evonne Baysore and Carl and Ruth Cotner, I wish you were all here to
celebrate this accomplishment, as you were for my other academic achievements. I know you
are cheering me on from above.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The saying “it takes a village” holds true when it comes to writing a dissertation. If it
was not for the support and guidance from so many, I am unsure if I would be writing at this
time. First and foremost, the support, guidance, and confidence of Dr. Jennifer Rotigel, my
Dissertation Chair, thank you. Dr. Rotigel knew when to push me for deadlines to advance me to
the next stage of this process. Her insight, guidance, and support through this journey have been
amazing. Dr. Kelli Jo Kerry-Moran and Dr. George Bieger you completed my committee.
When I had a question, you both were there for me. You challenged me while you shared your
support and insight through-out each step. Thank you all for being a top rate dissertation
committee.
When it came to my data analysis, I would have never been able to make it through that
stage without Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Applied Research Lab under the leadership
of Dr. Christoph Maier. The countless hours on the phone were invaluable. Your gifts of
patience and instruction were amazing. Thank you for sharing those gifts with me.
Dr. Marcia Bastian, words cannot express the support, guidance, and encouragement you
gave me. The time you took to help me begin my journey with SPSS was invaluable. You
helped me gain confidence with using the statistical software for the first time. More importantly
you became more than a supporter--you became a friend. For that, I am grateful.
In preparing Chapter 3 and finalizing my survey, I thank Dr. Mark Wilson for his time as
we sat and discussed my research and survey questions. Your insight aided me in the
condensing of my survey and with the identification of statistical procedures and formulas
needed to address my research questions.
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As I prepared my research instrument, I thank those that provided feedback regarding my
survey instruments. The time and insight you offered during various stages of the instrument
development were greatly appreciated. Thank you Dr. Anne Marie Vaccaro, Dr. Denise
Davidson, Ms. Liz Yates, Dr. Heidi Watson, Mr. Zacary Tardiff, Mr. Jose Moreno, Ms. Heidi
Muller, Ms. Emily Sands, and Ms. Tish Cendana.
Dr. Denise Davidson has been by my side from the beginning. She encouraged me before
I began this journey that the door was open for this next stage in my career. She took time to
review various drafts of my dissertation where she shared resources, challenged and encouraged
me. The time, knowledge, encouragement, and friendship Dr. Davidson provided goes beyond a
simple thank you. It is a treasured gift.
I am thankful for having individuals in my life who were willing to take the time to read
my dissertation, provide editorial comments. Thank you Ms. Pamela Burns, Mr. Tim Nichols,
and Ms. Kay Cotner for your proofreading time.
There were reasons my path crossed with Dr. Sue Saunders earlier in my career, her
kindness continued as I worked on my dissertation. Dr. Saunders’ willingness to take a call from
me to discuss my research was greatly appreciated.
Thank you to the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the individuals
who responded to my survey.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the carpool gang, Dr. Heidi Watson, Ms. Carol Lugg,
and Ms. Karen Hamman. We traveled miles and hours together on our way to Indiana, PA from
Central PA. Thank you for the laughter, study time, great memories (the Ebenberg’s Knight),
and friendship. Also thank you to the incredible cohort 10 as well as the faculty of IUP’s
Administration and Leadership program for your support and wealth of knowledge along this
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journey. Ms. Ann Hetrick, none of the ALS cohorts could make it through without your
administrative support. Thank you for always being an email away to answer a question.
I have been fortunate to have colleagues both directly at my places of employment
(Susquehanna Health and West Virginia University Institute of Technology) during this journey,
past employment and other professional colleagues who have supported and cheered me along
the way. There are too many people to name, but know that I value your encouragement and
confidence in my abilities along the way.
Thank you to my family for tolerating the times I needed to be “academic.” Your
understanding, patience, and help with family tasks were greatly appreciated. I will always
cherish the memories Noah and I created together as we often found ourselves sitting at a table
working on “academics.” Noah, you have been along this journey the most. You amazed me
when you recognized that I needed time to do academics and never complained, but found things
healthy and productive to do by yourself. Thank you.
To my extended family (brother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins) and
friends, thank you for your encouragement and support during this journey.
Finally, thank you to my God for always being by my side! You have known the plans
for me. Thank you for this plan.
It is with my appreciation and gratitude that I am thankful to “my village” for being with
me throughout this journey!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page
1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................1
Purpose of Study ................................................................................... 1
Theoretical Perspective ......................................................................... 2
Need for Study ...................................................................................... 2
Research Questions ............................................................................... 4
Theoretical Framework ......................................................................... 5
Definitions of Terms ............................................................................. 6
Research Design.................................................................................... 8
Limitations ............................................................................................ 8
Summary ............................................................................................... 9

2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ...........................................11
New Professionals ............................................................................... 11
Sensemaking ....................................................................................... 13
Four Forms of Organization Sensemaking ................................... 15
Kegan Meaning-Making Development......................................... 16
Supervision ......................................................................................... 18
Four Types of Supervisors ............................................................ 20
Bolman and Dean’s Supervisory Frames ...................................... 21
Orientation .......................................................................................... 23
Winston and Creamer’s Orientation Study ................................... 28
A Nursing Orientation Model ....................................................... 29
Business Orientation Studies ........................................................ 30
Organizational Socialization ............................................................... 31
Thornton and Nardi’s Four Stages of Socialization ...................... 33
Three Stages of Socialization........................................................ 34
Hirt and Creamer’s Four Realms of Professional Practice
Socialization in Student Affairs .................................................... 35
Orientation and Socialization .............................................................. 36
Summary ............................................................................................. 37

3 METHODOLOGY ..............................................................................38
Research Design.................................................................................. 38
Statement of Problem .......................................................................... 39
Population ........................................................................................... 39
Research Questions ............................................................................. 40
Instrumentation ................................................................................... 41
Pilot Test: Validity and Reliability ............................................... 42
Procedure ............................................................................................ 45
Data Analysis ................................................................................ 45
Summary ............................................................................................. 47

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