We spend more time with our colleagues than with anyone else. The work group context affects our experiences at the workplace. Relationships with coworkers do not develop according to rules and regulations as stated in formal terms. Relationships with peer groups often develop as a result of common taste, likes and dislikes. Some employees are more interdependent on their coworkers and provide an opportunity for the employees to have greater ease in interaction. Also co workers provide an opportunity for the employees to compare their beliefs with similar others. It is likely that a newcomer will first look at his/her work group peers for appropriate ways of behaving. For example the employee may learn from his peer group that it is not appropriate to give an opinion about the company policy even when asked by the boss. Besides, learning the unwritten rules within the organisation the peer group also provides an outlet for employees to express their emotions which they cannot do with their supervisors. So such relationships provide job satisfaction and increase organisational commitment.
One critical factor which helps establish the context for the development of interpersonal relationships and adopting the work roles is the process of organisational socialisation.