The research was designed to assess and compare the organizational socialization strategies adopted
by public and private sector universities of Punjab for its employees. The major objectives were to
explore the socialization strategies that can be applied in the universities; to assess the effect of the
socialization strategies being used by the universities of Punjab; to compare the socialization strategies
being adopted by public and private sector universities and further to propose the comprehensive
model by keeping in view the cultural background of Pakistan to enhance socialization practices.
The population of the research was based on 9397 faculty members hired by the Higher Education
Commission (HEC) recognized universities of Punjab, Pakistan. By considering public and private
sectors as separate strata proportional stratified sampling technique was applied to draw
representative sample. 10 percent of the faculty members from both strata were selected as the sample
of the study. That data was collected by the use of three different tools (Socialization Strategies Scale
(SSS), Socialization Content Learning Scale (SCLS) and Socialization Practice Suggestion) developed in
the light of the model presented by Ruth V. Aguilera, John C. Dencker and Zeynep Y. Yalabik (2006).
The data was analyzed with the help of SPSS 16th edition. Results revealed that the socialization
strategies used at organizational (β = -.023 & R2 = .003), group (β = -.068 & R2 = .004) and individual
level (β = -.069 & R2 = .001) were inversely related with Socialization Content Learning and were not
being used effectively. However in the prevailing situation the private sector universities were utilizing
socialization strategies more frequently then the public sector. Yet the socialization content learning
was found better in public sector employees.
On the basis of findings it was recommended that socialization of the employees must be accorded the
foremost priority by the organizations’ leadership and the top level management of the universities.
Special focus may be retained on the provision of orientation, mentoring, and social activities. There is
a need to develop a culture and attitude to share, communicate, support and discuss professional issues
and matters.