Modern Project Management

IMPACT OF NEWCOMERS’ ASSIMILATION INTO PROJECT TEAMS’ EMOTIONAL CULTURE ON THEIR WORK ENGAGEMENT: MEDIATING ROLES OF ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND PERSON-ORGANIZATION FIT

Xinhua Hu
PhD Candidate, Graduate of School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia, 43600
Suguna Sinniah
Dr., Graduate of School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia,

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of newcomers’ assimilation into the emotional culture of project teams on their work engagement. Specifically, it explores how newcomers’ integration into the emotional norms of project teams affects their engagement levels, while examining the mediating roles of organisational identification and person- organisation fit. The research seeks to address gaps in the literature concerning emotional culture and newcomer integration in project-based work environments. A quantitative research design was employed to achieve the study’s objectives. Data were collected from 470 newcomers who had recently joined project teams across various organisations in China. Participants completed a structured questionnaire, which was distributed both electronically and in person. The collected data were analysed using SPSS to assess correlations, perform regression analysis, and conduct mediation analysis. Statistical techniques were utilised to evaluate the direct and indirect relationships between newcomers’ emotional assimilation, organisational identification, person-organisation fit, and work engagement. The study found that newcomers’ assimilation into the emotional culture of project teams has a significantly positive impact on their work engagement. Additionally, organisational identification and person-organisation fit were identified as key mediators in this relationship. Newcomers who felt a strong alignment with their team’s emotional norms and perceived a good fit with the organisation exhibited higher levels of engagement, with organisational identification and person-organisation fit enhancing this effect. This research is original in its focus on the specific context of project teams and its examination of the mediating roles of organisational identification and person-organisation fit. The study extends existing knowledge on emotional culture and work engagement by providing insights into how these dynamics operate within project-based environments. Its findings offer valuable implications for improving newcomer integration and engagement in such settings, contributing to both theoretical understanding and practical management strategies.

Keywords: Newcomer Assimilation, Project Teams, Emotional Culture, Work Engagement, Organizational Identification, Person-Organization Fit.

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Keywords

Project managementAgileconstructionSustainabilityproject successProjectProject SuccessDSMinnovationcase studyPMOBIMClusteringsuccessSMEDMMGovernanceLeanuncertaintyprojectcomplexityLeadershipPERTSuccessriskcriteriaschedule