Extending the Membership Negotiation Model: Previous Work Experience and the Reproduction and Transformation of Structures

Abstract

Membership negotiation is the communicative process by which individuals transform from nonmembers to organizational members. This investigation extends the membership negotiation model proposed by Scott and Myers by incorporating previous work experience as a medium of membership negotiation and others’ perceptions of the value of that experience. The proposed extended model also identifies how membership negotiation has broad effects by maintaining and transforming structures, and extending outcomes beyond individual roles to work group, organizational, and societal implications. We offer implications and future directions for investigations into membership negotiation, socialization of employees with previous work experience, and organizational structure.