Towards a theory of psychological contract: from eyes of employees.

In order to help develop a coherent PCT model for this dissertation, the focus was set mainly on three major tasks. The first one is identifying the basic psychological contract components, including the perceived psychological contract obligations of employees and employers alike. The second involves the identification of necessary assumptions which can deduce the mechanism concerning the effects of psychological contract components on employee outcomes. In this dissertation, the norm of reciprocity and indebtedness have been identified as the two necessary human nature assumptions in PCT building. Lastly, the third task is to deduce the relationship between employer and employee obligations in predicting employee outcomes. After the shortcomings of two existing approaches that investigate the joint effects of employer and employee obligations were reviewed in the literature and two assumptions identified in the second task, an interactive approach was proposed to examine the combined effects of the aforementioned obligations.
Since the nature of employment relationships are changing worldwide, research on psychological contract concerning reciprocal obligations between employer and employees has gained increased attention. However, extant literature falls short in establishing a coherent psychological contract theory. For instance, although its core contents include employer and employee obligations, the latter is relatively neglected in most studies. In addition, there is relatively little discussion about the basic elements of the psychological contract. Some of these elements are the relationship between/among components of psychological contract and the possible combined effects of these components on both employer and employee outcomes. Hence, these hinder the development of a coherent psychological contract theory (PCT).
This dissertation contributes to the psychological contract literature in five ways. Initially, the proposed PCT model provides a coherent framework for psychological contract research. Second, the interactive approach shapes future research direction by examining the joint effects of employer and employee obligations. Third, it contributes to the literature regarding reciprocity by investigating the interplay between these obligations. Fourth, the notion of personalization of employer by the employee is verified using two human nature assumptions (i.e., norm of reciprocity and indebtedness). Finally, the current study may have implications in conceptualizing the relational social contract in different social relationships in addition to the employer-employee relationship. In short, this dissertation develops a more comprehensive PCT. Moreover, some managerial implications are derived for practitioners according to the theoretical development.
Peng, Zhengmin.
Adviser: Chi-sum Wong.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: A, page: 2137.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-130).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest dissertations and theses, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
s in English and Chinese.
School code: 1307.
isbn: 9781109226058
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