Socialize to Fit: How Intra-organizational Social Networks Can Influence Person-Organization Fit

The person-organization fit (P-O Fit) refers to the congruence between individual and organizational values. This fit has been researched due to its importance for individual and organizational outcomes, such as: performance, commitment, motivation, and etc. Although several factors have been identified as predictor of this adaptation, few Brazilian studies have quantitatively explored the role of social networks within companies. These relationships which are built and kept inside the organization are identified by the patterns of communication and interaction among individuals, and they can influence the level of individual-organization fit. The objective of this research is to understand how the characteristics of social networks, such as relationship degree, closeness between actors, and intermediation, can influence the level of individual-organization fit. We surveyed 116 employees of micro and small companies in the service sector. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis results indicate that the degree of relationship between employees influences the level of P-O Fit. In other words, the more employees interact with each other, the greater the probability of fit between individual and organizational values.