Event-driven changes in person-organization fit: A conceptual integration and research agenda

This paper integrates Event System Theory (EST) with person-organization (PO) fit literature to explore how impactful events can alter the congruence between an employee's values, aspirations, and attitudes and those of their employer. It proposes that event characteristics (novelty, disruption, and criticality) and boundary conditions (event valence, employee adaptability, and pre-existing PO fit) jointly influence PO fit perceptions in additive, inuring, or exacerbating ways. By examining the dynamic nature of PO fit through an EST lens, this research addresses gaps in the existing literature and offers a novel perspective on the factors that shape employee-organization alignment. The propositions advanced in this paper provide a foundation for future empirical research and offer valuable insights for both theory development and practical applications in OB and HRM. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions to further investigate the dimensions and impacts of events on PO fit. •Integrates principles of Event System Theory with PO fit literature to examine dynamic fit perceptions.•Develops propositions outlining additive, inuring, and exacerbating effects of event characteristics on PO fit.•Explores boundary conditions, including event valence, employee adaptability, and existing PO fit strength.•Introduces a multi-phase framework for empirically examining event-driven changes in PO fit.•Proposes future research directions, including recurring vs. nonrecurring events, proactive coping, event chains, and dynamic aspects of PO fit change over time.