We did it! The results of our investigation into the growth process of new employees have been accepted for publication in Sage Open (SSCI, Impact factor=2.0, Google Scholar Matrix #5 in Social Sciences (general)). Congratulations to Dr. Goda. I was also involved as a co-researcher.

Goda,Y., Sudo, K., and Yamada, M.(2025). First Steps in the Workplace: Why Do Some New Graduates Grow Quickly While Others Advance Gradually?, Sage Open, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251394373

In this study, we tracked new employees entering the workforce for the first time over a nine-month period to investigate the differences between those who grow quickly and those who grow more gradually. The subjects were 89 new graduates who joined a company, and they responded to a 25-question reflection report each month, recording their work methods, error situations, support from supervisors, and motivation toward their work.

In our analysis, we classified the employees’ growth levels into stages 1–4 (such as “slow-growth group” or “fast-growth group”) and compared them in the final month. The results reveal several findings, including three common elements among fast-growing employees and their tendency to enjoy their work and attempt new tasks even during busy periods. In particular, we identified when the turning points for growth occur after joining the company, as well as various factors such as what should be done during these periods and the acceptance of the usefulness of support.

Based on these results, we provide implications for environmental design regarding what constitutes an important environment for new graduates, and we believe these findings will be useful for creating workplaces where young employees can develop their skills with peace of mind. Recently, I have heard that turnover rates are high even among new graduates. While there are many reasons why people leave companies, I feel that our research findings can be utilized to improve the internal environment for growth.

It is open access, so please feel free to read it if you are interested.