Wearing the uniform: Inside the motivational and socialization processes of military and police organizations

The present thesis investigates the interaction between work motivation and organizational socialization in military and police organizations. This work aims to integrate both theoretical and empirical approaches to understand how these constructs influence individual and organizational outcomes. The first part of the thesis presents a systematic literature review and a network meta-analysis. The systematic review, grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), examines motivational dynamics and their impact on well-being, turnover, engagement, positive affect, prosocial behaviors, and other positive outcomes in military and police contexts. SDT proves particularly valuable in interpreting motivational processes in these environments, demonstrating that the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs is essential, even within highly regulated and hierarchical structures. The network meta-analysis explores the key factors associated with organizational socialization in military and police contexts. This innovative approach allows for the simultaneous assessment of multiple relationships within a single analytical framework, providing a more nuanced understanding of how individual dispositions and organizational factors jointly contribute to adjustment and effectiveness in strongly hierarchical institutions. The findings indicate that no single personality trait or distal outcome emerges as markedly more influential than others. Consequently, organizational socialization emerges as a dynamic process shaped by various individual traits and serves as a key driver for multiple outcomes. The empirical part comprises three studies. The first empirical chapter validates the Military Organizational Socialization Inventory (MOSI), confirming its reliability and multidimensional structure. The results demonstrate that the MOSI is a robust and valid tool for assessing organizational socialization in military settings, with significant implications for enhancing integration processes and organizational effectiveness. The second empirical chapter examines the mediating role of socialization between motivation and organizational outcomes among military and police personnel, highlighting the significance of intrinsic motivation and supportive socialization processes. Results reveal that intrinsic motivation and amotivation are the only dimensions of work motivation that influence both direct effects on socialization and indirect effects on morale, well-being, and turnover intentions, with socialization serving as a key mediating mechanism. The final empirical chapter employs network analysis to identify the personal and professional traits that most influence military career success. This approach allows for a comprehensive interpretation of complex relational models that traditional statistical methods may not fully capture. By comparing networks across different career stages, the study provides valuable insights into the factors driving military leaders’ success, from training institutions through their entire career trajectory. Overall, the thesis emphasizes the close interrelation between work motivation and organizational socialization in promoting individual success, organizational effectiveness, and long-term professional development. Practical implications include evidence-based strategies for personnel selection, the design of socialization programs, and interventions aimed at enhancing motivation within military and police organizations.