Editorial Comment:

Abstract: This study examined how six institutionalized socialization tactics affect a particular occupation of knowledge workers - information technology (IT) professionals' role adjustment and organizational attachment variables. The research model and hypotheses were tested using path analysis techniques with survey data collected from 187 recently hired IT professionals. The results showed that the six socialization tactics affected IT professionals differently. Socialization tactics that recognize employees' values and skills and that emphasize the interpersonal and mentoring aspects had the most significant effects on employees' role adjustment and organizational attachment. The study also revealed complex mediating relationships among socialization tactics, role adjustment and organizational attachment variables. This study provides new insights about the differential effects of the various socialization tactics on IT professionals' role adjustment and organizational attachment. It also sheds light on the complex mediating relationships among socialization tactics, role adjustment and organizational attachment variables.