The patterns of exchange between generations in the organizational contexts: The transition of graduates to worklife

Aim of the paper is studying which generativity could characterize the relationship between senior and junior workers during the organizational socialization of the newcomers. The theoretical framework of the study refers to the concept of generativity, as defined by Bradley and Marcia (1998) and Cigoli and Scabini (2006). A qualitative research conducted through narrative interviews to 24 senior and 24 junior workers is presented. Narratives show different typologies of relationship, characterized by different degrees and forms of generativity. Results allow to discuss how a more or less generative relation could be related to organizational socialization, and which contribution can be provided by senior workers to the organizational socialization of the newcomers