Person-Organisation Fit


Person–organisation (P–O) fit refers to the compatibility between individuals and organisations, especially in terms of shared values, expectations, and culture. It is central to talent attraction, selection, and retention strategies, as employers shift from hiring solely on technical skill to selecting based on cultural fit and potential.

Technique Overview

Person-Organisation Fit

Person-Organisation Fit Definition

Person-organisation (P-O) fit is the degree of congruence between an individual and their organisation. It occurs when: (a) at least one party fulfils the needs of the other; (b) both share similar characteristics; or (c) both conditions are met (Kristof, 1996). The theory is grounded in interactionist perspectives, which posit that human behaviour results from the interplay between person and environment.

Person-Organisation Fit Description *

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Business Evidence

Strengths, weaknesses and examples of Person-Organisation Fit *

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Business Application

Implementation, success factors and measures of Person-Organisation Fit *

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Professional Tools

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Further Reading

Person-Organisation Fit web and print resources *

Person-Organisation Fit references (4 of up to 20) *

  • Billsberry, J. (2007) Experiencing Recruitment and Selection. Chichester: Wiley.
  • Cable, D.M. and DeRue, D.S. (2002) The convergent and discriminant validity of subjective fit perceptions. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 87, pp.875-884.
  • Cable, D.M. and Judge, T.A. (1996) Person-Organization Fit, Job Choice Decisions, and Organizational Entry. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 67, pp.294-311.
  • Cable, D.M. and Parsons, C.K. (2001) Socialization Tactics and Person-Organization Fit. Personnel Psychology, Vol. 54,(1), pp.1-23.

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Related Concept: Collating and Formatting Data

Before any analysis can happen, data needs to be collated from correct sources and formatted so it follows clear organisational standards. Research shows that inconsistent structures and formats make data harder to combine, process and trust (Jagadish et al., 2014). Collating and formatting ensure the dataset is clean, consistent and ready for use.