Testing Matching and Mirroring with Homophily in Onboarding Leadership Socialization Manuel Almendarez Walden University
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Testing Matching and Mirroring With Homophily in Onboarding Leadership Socialization Manuel Almendarez Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, and the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Manuel Almendarez has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Richard Schuttler, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Daphne Halkias, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. Jean Gordon, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Testing Matching and Mirroring With Homophily in Onboarding Leadership Socialization by Manuel Almendarez MBA, University of Phoenix, 2007 BBA, Houston Baptist University, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Leadership and Organizational Change Walden University February 2018 Abstract This study was designed to test the relationship between matching and mirroring (MM) and homophilous perceptions (PHM) in leadership socialization. Elevated PHM levels were hypothesized to affect workplace acceptance levels. The need for testing leadership socialization skills was magnified with the current demographic shift known as the leadership succession crisis, creating problems with onboarding strategies. The theoretical foundations of the study were based on the social identity theory, the social presence theory, the leader-member exchange theory, and the similarity-attraction paradigm. The study conducted at Workforce Solutions North Texas in Wichita Falls, Texas was sampled based on the calculated strength of the effect in a pilot study. Test group participants engaged in MM enhanced social conversation with a coached candidate and control group participants conversed with an uncoached participant from the general population engaging in normal conversation. MM processes were differentiated from natural synchronic tendencies using specialized software and Kinect® sensors. A contrasted group, quasi-experiment was examined with an analysis of covariance. No statistically significant difference was found between groups on PHM levels, correcting for age, gender, ethnicity, height, glasses, hobbies, and professions. However, PHM and coworker acceptance were statistically significant but with no difference between groups. Further research is needed to test PHM as a metric for rapport in socialization strategies. Nevertheless, the homophily lens rather than the rapport lens can help organizational development and human resource professionals quantify and develop more effective socialization strategies aimed at solving problems associated with the leadership succession crisis. Testing Matching and Mirroring with Homophily in Onboarding Leadership Socialization by Manuel Almendarez MBA, University of Phoenix, 2007 BBA, Houston Baptist University, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Leadership and Organizational Change Walden University February 2018 Dedication This work is dedicated to my father who, despite his lack of formal education, applied techniques of mirroring successfully in his life as a troquero. I humbly carry on my father’s work in his search for excellence. Also dedicated to my lovely wife who encouraged me throughout our lives to pursue my dreams and having faith every step of the way despite my hard-headedness. Without the freedom of direction she provided, I would not have reached this level of academic accomplishments. To my many siblings who share in the pride felt throughout our familial nation; that their children may always strive for excellence as their ancestors have. Acknowledgments Thank you, to Dr. Richard Schuttler for providing sound advice at every step of the dissertation. His dedication to his students’ successes is reflected in his sacrifices in time and effort. To the rest of the faculty at Walden University: Your wisdom is reflected in the quality of the product you produce. Thank you for your guidance. Thank you to Dr. Lynda McCroskey for allowing the use of the Attitude Homophily Scale. Table of Contents List of Tables.................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ...............................................................................................................vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................ 1 Background of the Problem........................................................................................ 5 Socialization and Orientation ...............................................................................7 Social Capital .......................................................................................................8 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................... 13 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................ 15 Significance of the Study ......................................................................................... 16 Nature of the Study .................................................................................................. 18 Quantitative Research Method ........................................................................... 18 Research Design ................................................................................................ 19 Primary Research Questions and Hypotheses ........................................................... 20 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 22 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................. 24 Scope of the Study ............................................................................................. 25 Assumptions of the Study ........................................................................................ 27 Limitations to the Study ........................................................................................... 30 Delimitations of the Study ....................................................................................... 31 Summary ................................................................................................................. 32 Chapter 2: Literature Review ......................................................................................... 34 i Title Searches, Articles, Research Documents, and Journals .................................... 34 Baby Boom Historical Chronology .................................................................... 35 The Leadership Succession Crisis ...................................................................... 39 Socialization ...................................................................................................... 42 Leadership Socialization Strategies .................................................................... 44 Onboarding and Inboarding ................................................................................ 45 Facets of Leadership Socialization ..................................................................... 52 Socialization and Human Interaction .................................................................. 57 The Social Identity Approach ............................................................................. 61 Anatomy of Prosociality..................................................................................... 64 Matching and Mirroring Methodology ............................................................. 110 Gaps in the Literature ....................................................................................... 115 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 117 Chapter 3: Methodology .............................................................................................. 121 Purpose of the Study .............................................................................................. 122 Restatement of the Problem ................................................................................... 123 Primary Research Questions and Hypotheses ......................................................... 126 Research Design .................................................................................................... 127 Sample Types .................................................................................................