ABSTRACT
An important element in an organization is the concept of “role”. A role is a description of an abstract behavior of an individual (agent). An agent acquires the social knowledge and skills necessary to assume an organizational role. The process of acquiring roles may appear in many forms ranging from a relatively quick, self-guided, trial-and error process to a far more elaborate one, requiring a lengthy preparation period of education and training followed by a period of offi cial apprenticeship.
