Short answer
Designers should create onboarding experiences that acknowledge and support the phased nature of cultural adaptation, focusing on building social connections and psychological safety.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) (2018)
- Method
- Qualitative, longitudinal ethnographic research
- Sample
- 30 participants (for interviews)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Individuals progress through distinct stages when adapting to a new organizational culture, with a sense of belonging being a critical factor for successful assimilation. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire). Using Qualitative, longitudinal ethnographic research with 30 participants (for interviews), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should create onboarding experiences that acknowledge and support the phased nature of cultural adaptation, focusing on building social connections and psychological safety.
A Staged Adaptation Model for Navigating New Organizational Cultures
Individuals progress through distinct stages when adapting to a new organizational culture, with a sense of belonging being a critical factor for successful assimilation.
University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Individuals experience qualitatively distinct stages of adaptation to organizational culture.
- 02A sense of belonging is a critical factor for successful adaptation and assimilation.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should create onboarding experiences that acknowledge and support the phased nature of cultural adaptation, focusing on building social connections and psychological safety.
How to apply
When designing new employee experiences, map out the typical journey of adaptation and integrate touchpoints that address belonging and cultural understanding at each stage.
Project actions
- 01Consider how your design can help users feel a sense of belonging within a new system or community.
- 02Think about how users might progress through different stages of interaction with your design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Longitudinal study design allows for observation of adaptation over time.
- +Mixed methods (observation, interviews, focus groups) provide rich qualitative data.
Limitations
The specific stages identified may vary depending on the complexity of the organization and the individual's prior experience.
Reliability & validity
The use of multiple qualitative methods and member checking (via focus groups) enhances the transferability and validity of the findings.
Think critically
How might the 'sense of belonging' be quantified or measured in a design context, and what are the ethical considerations in designing for belonging?
Design Principles
"Onboarding and integration processes should be designed as a staged journey, not a single event, with continuous support and opportunities for connection."
Understanding these adaptation stages can inform the design of onboarding processes and support systems, leading to faster integration and higher retention rates for new team members. This proactive approach minimizes stress and maximizes the potential contribution of individuals to the organization.
What This Means for Your Design
When people start a new job, they don't just 'get it' right away. They go through different phases as they learn the company's unwritten rules and feel like they belong. This research created a map of those phases.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the staged adaptation model to structure your user research, observing how users navigate different phases of interaction with your prototype.
- 2.Incorporate findings about belonging into your design rationale, explaining how your design fosters connection and inclusion.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This design project acknowledges that users adapt to new systems and cultures in stages, as evidenced by research such as Douglas's (2018) staged adaptation model. By understanding these phases, particularly the importance of belonging, the design aims to provide support and foster integration throughout the user's journey, moving beyond a one-time onboarding to a continuous adaptation process.
Source
University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire)
Adapting to Organisational Culture: a Staged Adaptation Model
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about a staged adaptation model for navigating new organizational cultures?
- Designers should create onboarding experiences that acknowledge and support the phased nature of cultural adaptation, focusing on building social connections and psychological safety. Evidence: University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) (2018).
- Why does "A Staged Adaptation Model for Navigating New Organizational Cultures" matter for design?
- Understanding these adaptation stages can inform the design of onboarding processes and support systems, leading to faster integration and higher retention rates for new team members. This proactive approach minimizes stress and maximizes the potential contribution of individuals to the organization.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should create onboarding experiences that acknowledge and support the phased nature of cultural adaptation, focusing on building social connections and psychological safety.
- What were the main findings?
- Individuals experience qualitatively distinct stages of adaptation to organizational culture.. A sense of belonging is a critical factor for successful adaptation and assimilation.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative, longitudinal ethnographic research with 30 participants (for interviews).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing new employee experiences, map out the typical journey of adaptation and integrate touchpoints that address belonging and cultural understanding at each stage.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are specific to the context of a global technology firm and may not be directly transferable to all organizational types or industries.