The Way You Make Me Feel and Behave: Supervisor-Triggered Newcomer Affect and Approach-Avoidance Behavior

Abstract

We examine how supervisor-triggered newcomer affect may link supervisor behaviors with newcomer adjustment and performance. Using emotion as feedback system theory and the approach-avoidance framework, we investigate the influence of newcomers' accumulated supervisor-directed affect on their outcomes. We develop scales to measure the proposed construct, supervisor-triggered newcomer affect, using multicompany samples and test the hypothesized model using longitudinal, multisource data from an Indian information technology company. Results indicate that supervisor-triggered newcomer affect plays an important role in the process of newcomer adjustment. This study contributes to research on newcomer adjustment and the longer-term role of target-specific affect in the context of supervisor-subordinate relationships.