Abstract:
Putting forward a qualitative method of phenomenology by in-depth semi-structured
interviews, this research sought to (i) examine organizational socialization process toward
employees with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), (ii) analyze key success/ failure factors
affecting the organizational socialization process, and (iii) recommend an appropriate
organizational socialization process toward employees with ASD.
Findings from the face-to-face interviews with managers, supervisors, coworkers,
employees with ASD and their parents/ families reveal that helping employees with ASD
become successfully socialized and included in workplace relies on (i) previous practical
knowledge of colleagues about ASD, (ii) reasonable accommodation at work, (iii) education
levels of new hires with ASD and (iv) parental involvement.
Findings also contribute to reasonable accommodation at work in practice and Social
Exchange Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Leader-member Exchange Theory. The
author recommends that policy shapers, and employers undertake a leading role in promoting workplace neurodiversity inclusion through appropriate organizational socialization process to sustain employment status of employees with ASD.