Between 2003 and 2011, 1.2 million U.S. workers were laid off every year. Some organizational leaders of information technology/telecommunications organizations lack strategies to improve affective commitment to the organization after downsizing events. The strains of overwork, organizational changes, anxiety over job insecurity, and lack of choice often result in physical illness, emotional trauma, and extreme disengagement termed survivor syndrome. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies organizational leaders in the Midwest United States in information technology/telecommunications organizations used to improve affective commitment to the organization after downsizing. The conceptual framework was Herzberg's 2-factor theory. Data were collected via semistructured interviews, retention records, and organizational documents specific to postdownsizing activities. Data were compiled, disassembled, and reassembled into patterns and themes. The data revealed 4 themes: internal communications, organizational support, training, and employee manager relationships. The findings suggested establishing a formalized strategy to support survivors of corporate downsizing is needed to ensure consistency throughout the company. This research might contribute to social change within the organization by identifying and providing strategies to improve affective commitment to the organization after a downsizing event, which might lead to better individual and organizational performance and decrease residual employee turnover. This research could also contribute to social change by stabilizing the emotional state of the employee and removing a source of family instability.

Cette recherche a pour objet l’étude des déterminants et des effets psychosociaux des situations de travail en termes de stress et de souffrance. C’est sous l’angle du contrat psychologique qu’elle s’intéresse à l’impact des transformations du travail de ces dernières années sur les conditions de son exercice et les relations d’emploi. Elle porte plus particulièrement sur les processus d’interprétation des ruptures du contrat psychologique et les processus d’ajustement et de restructuration des sujets consécutifs aux évolutions de ces relations d’emploi. Au plan théorique la recherche se démarque sensiblement des modèles traditionnels en intégrant, dans l’étude du stress et de la souffrance au travail, les dynamiques subjectives. Notre position théorique considère que, le sujet est actif et pluriel dans sa socialisation et dans le développement de ses relations avec son contexte de travail, autant que dans la recherche de réponses aux exigences de l’organisation et aux siennes que dans les régulations subjectives des conflits qui en naissent. Une consultation hospitalière de souffrance au travail constitue le cadre de cette recherche. Les données recueillies auprès de 103 personnes reçues en accompagnement psychologique dans ce dispositif ont fait l’objet d’une analyse qualitative et d’une analyse quantitative. Des observations cliniques ont été systématiquement confrontées aux résultats d’analyses statistiques.Nous mettons en évidence un lien entre la perception d’une violation du contrat psychologique et la dégradation de l’état de santé psychologique des personnes reçues en consultation. Nous soulignons l’impact de la rupture du contrat, souvent déclenchée par une transformation dans le milieu du travail, autant sur l’individu que sur sa relation de travail. De ces observations et résultats ressort la nécessité de développer des démarches de prévention pluridisciplinaires / The purpose of this research is to study the origins and psychosocial consequences of the working situations leading to stress and mental suffering. It is looking primarily at how the psychological contract has been impacted by the changes that have evolved in the working environment in the past years. It is more particularly centered on the mental processes through which a breach of the psychological contract is being perceived and on the processes that are applied to cope with this altered employment relationship.From a theoretical standpoint, this research departs from the traditional approach to occupational stress insofar as it integrates subjective dynamics into the study of stress and suffering at work. Our theory suggests that the heterogeneous experiences and temporalities of employees have an influence on the organizational socialization as well as on the development of the employment relationship and the subjective regulation of conflicts. A local public hospital service offering psychological care for people suffering from their working situation provide the frame of the research. The information collected via this clinical work done with 103 persons is used for the qualitative and quantitative data analyses. The clinical observations are systematically compared to the results of the statistical analysis. We establish a link between the perception of a violation of the psychological contract and the deterioration of the mental health of the persons received in this psychological care center. We underline the impact of the contract’s breach, often a consequence of changes occurring in the working environment, on the individual as well as on the employment relationship. The empirical and the statistical results emphasize the need for the development and the implementation of psychosocial risks prevention measures by multidisciplinary working groups.

Dagens revisionskår lider av ett stort problem som hotar dess framtid. Sedan 1990 har antalet revisorer minskat från 4400 auktoriserade till 3300. En bakomliggande orsak till minskningen är revisorsassistenters avhopp. Revisorsassistenter förväntas bli framtida revisorer men avhoppen har lett till att revisionsbranschens framtid har hamnat i fara. Tidigare studier har undersökt varför revisorsassistenter har lämnat branschen, dock finns det bristande kunskap om revisorsassistenters förhållande till revisionsbyråer. Därför är det av yttersta vikt att undersöka avhoppen ur det psykologiska kontraktets perspektiv i syfte att ta reda på huruvida uppsägningsavsikten influeras av det psykologiska kontraktet eller inte. Det psykologiska kontraktet är en teori som tar hänsyn till den mellanmänskliga relationen mellan den anställde och organisationen och baseras på den anställdes uppfattningar om ömsesidiga och implicita överenskommelser mellan denne samt organisationen. Kontraktet bygger på en subjektiv tro som den anställde har och är även en viktig aspekt att ta hänsyn till vid undersökandet av uppsägningsavsikten i relation till det psykologiska kontraktet. Syftet med studien är att ge en ökad förståelse för hur det psykologiska kontraktet influerar revisorsassisteters uppsägningsavsikt. För att genomföra studien användes en kvalitativ metod där sex semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med revisorsassistenter från sex olika revisionsbyråer. Studien visar att det psykologiska kontraktet har en inverkan på revisorsassistenters uppsägningsavsikt. När en anställd upplever att kontraktet är ömsesidigt och uppfyllt uppstår ingen känsla av att man vill lämna organisationen. Om den anställde däremot känner att kontraktet inte är ömsesidigt, kan denne vilja lämna organisationen eftersom den får en känsla av att den gör sin del i kontraktet medan organisationen förbiser sin del. Vidare framkom det även att löften som skall uppfyllas består främst av utvecklingsmöjligheter, trivsam arbetsmiljö och stöd som revisionsbyråer är förpliktade att hålla. Revisionsbyråer som inte respekterar det psykologiska kontraktet anses ha brutit mot kontraktets villkor och kan därmed leda till att de förlorar sina revisorsassistenter. / Today’s audit profession is facing a major issue that threatens the future of auditing. Since 1990, the number of auditors has decreased from 4,400 authorized to 3,300. One of the reasons behind the reduction is the audit assistants' intention to resign. These accounting assistants are expected to become the future accountants, but the turnover has led to a threatening future. Previous research has investigated the reasons behind why audit assistants are leaving the profession. However, there is not enough understanding of the relationship between accounting assistants and audit firms. Therefore, it is crucial to research how the psychological contract affects the turnover intention of the audit assistants.The psychological contract is a theory that takes into consideration the interpersonal relationship between the employee and the organization, and the theory is based on the employee´s perceptions of mutual and implicit agreements between him/her and the organization. The contract is based on a subjective belief held by the employee, and it is also an important aspect to take into consideration when examining the turnover intention in relation to the psychological contract. The purpose of this study is to provide a deeper understanding of how the psychological contract affects audit assistants’ intention to resign. In order to go through with the study, a qualitative method with six interviewees, from six different audit firms was used. The study shows that the psychological contract has an impact on accounting assistants' intention to resign. When an employee feels that the contract is mutual and fulfilled, there is no feeling of wanting to leave the organization. If, on the other hand, the employee feels that the contract is not reciprocal, he may want to leave the organization because he feels that he is doing his part of the contract while the organization is neglecting their part. In addition, it was found that the commitments to be followed consist primarily of development, a pleasant work environment, opportunities and support, and the audit firm is obliged to abide by these commitments. Accounting firms that fail to fulfil the psychological contract are deemed to be in default and therefore tend to lose their audit assistants

Organisations worldwide are experiencing an explosion of knowledge in the current technological information age as well as a serious skills shortage. The fast-paced aggressive and highly cyclical nature of the profession which often does not provide employees with the necessary resources and support causes employees in the information technology (IT) industry to show high turnover intent which is extremely costly and detrimental to organisational success. IT specialists are becoming a scarce commodity in a highly competitive environment where financial gain is very important and employee well-being is not necessarily a prerogative. Employers are faced with additional obligations than just paying equitable salaries, such as creating an environment that is conducive towards well-being. Efforts to promote flourishing and optimal functioning of employees will affect individual and organisational outcomes. Flourishing and languishing are opposite end points on a continuum of mental health indicating the emotional, psychological and social well-being of individuals. An individual who feels well (emotional well-being) is more likely to function well (psychological and social well-being) which means meeting the criteria for positive mental health as flourishing. Investments in the well-being of employees lay the basis for positive employment relations. The aim of this study was to investigate the flourishing of employees in the information technology industry and to determine the antecedents and outcomes thereof. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data regarding the flourishing of IT professionals and its outcomes. A convenience sample (N = 205) was taken of employees in information technology organisations in South Africa. The measuring instruments used were the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, Job Satisfaction Scale, Work Engagement Scale, Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, Work Role Fit Scale, Psychological Contract Inventory, Violations of PC Questionnaire, Organisational Commitment Scale, Turnover Intention Scale and Counterproductive Work Behaviour measures. The results of study 1 showed that 58.5% of the IT professionals were neither languishing nor flourishing, while 3.9% were languishing. Flourishing strongly impacted job satisfaction and had minor to moderate direct and indirect effects on organisational citizenship behaviour and organisational commitment. Job satisfaction impacted directly and positively on organisational commitment and negatively on turnover intention; and moderately negatively on counterproductive behaviour. Flourishing had both a direct and positive effect, and an indirect and negative effect (via organisational commitment) on turnover intention. Study 2 showed that psychological contract breach and violation strongly and negatively impacted flourishing at work and in life. The results provided support for a model in which psychological contract breach and violation had both direct and indirect effects via satisfaction of psychological needs on job satisfaction, work engagement, turnover intention and flourishing of IT professionals. Study 3 showed that work role fit and the availability of resources were strong predictors of flourishing at work and in life. Work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted job satisfaction and social well-being indirectly through autonomy satisfaction. The availability of resources impacted work engagement and psychological well-being indirectly via competence satisfaction. Furthermore, work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted psychological well-being indirectly through relatedness. Recommendations for future research were made. / PhD, Labour relations management, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

Au cours de la dernière décennie, les changements observés sur le marché amènent les organisations à améliorer leurs conditions de travail afin d’être en mesure d’attirer et de retenir des travailleurs performants. Les PRH n’y font pas exception. En effet, les PRH présentent des attentes bien précises et développent un contrat psychologique qui leur est propre. Cette recherche porte sur l’intention de quitter des PRH. Plus précisément, elle vise à identifier à travers la théorie du contrat psychologique, les conditions d’emploi et d’exercice de la profession qui, lorsqu’elles ne sont pas respectées, influencent positivement l’intention de quitter des PRH. Il ressort de nos analyses statistiques que la violation du contrat psychologique, notamment des conditions d’emploi et des conditions d’exercice de la profession, influence positivement l’intention de quitter des PRH. Nos analyses nous ont permis d’identifier les différentes conditions d’emploi et d’exercice de la profession qui ont une influence sur l’intention de quitter des PRH. En ce qui concerne les conditions d’emploi, il s’agit de celles reliées au développement de carrière, à l’atmosphère au travail et au contenu de l’emploi. Du côté des conditions d’exercice de la profession, il s’agit du rôle d’agent de changement et de partenaires d’affaires qui ont une influence positive, tandis que le rôle d’expert fonctionnel influence négativement les intentions de quitter des PRH. Nos analyses mettent en évidence l’importance du respect des conditions d’emploi comparativement à celles associées aux conditions d’exercice de la profession. En effet, on constate que les trois conditions d’emploi qui ont une influence positive sur les intentions de quitter des PRH peuvent, sans contredit, être associées au développement professionnel, une valeur importante chez les PRH. / During the last decade, many changes have been observed in the labor markets which have lead organizations to review their work conditions. By improving the work environment, organizations have been able to attract and retain good workers. Human resource professionals (HRP) are not an exception. Indeed, HRP have specific expectations, they also develop their own psychological contract. This research attempts to understand the intent to quit of a HRP. Specifically, this research seeks to identify the conditions of employment and of professional practice through the theory of psychological contracts. When these conditions are not met, they positively influence the intent to quit of a HRP. According to our statistical analyses, psychological contract breach of the conditions of employment and of the conditions of professional practice positively influences the intent to quit of a HRP. More specifically, the conditions of employment which influence the intent to quit of a HRP are related to career development, social atmosphere and job content. Moreover, the role of a change agent and a strategic partner are the conditions of professional practice that influence negatively the intent to quit of a HRP. However, the role of an administrative expert influences positively the intent to quit of a HRP. Finally, our analysis highlights the importance of respecting the conditions of employment compared to those associated to the conditions of professional practice. Indeed, we find that the breach of three conditions of employment that have a positive influence on the intent to quit of a PRH can be associated to career development, which is a value that is more and more important for a PRH in current times.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Au cours de la dernière décennie, les changements observés sur le marché amènent les organisations à améliorer leurs conditions de travail afin d’être en mesure d’attirer et de retenir des travailleurs performants. Les PRH n’y font pas exception. En effet, les PRH présentent des attentes bien précises et développent un contrat psychologique qui leur est propre. Cette recherche porte sur l’intention de quitter des PRH. Plus précisément, elle vise à identifier à travers la théorie du contrat psychologique, les conditions d’emploi et d’exercice de la profession qui, lorsqu’elles ne sont pas respectées, influencent positivement l’intention de quitter des PRH. Il ressort de nos analyses statistiques que la violation du contrat psychologique, notamment des conditions d’emploi et des conditions d’exercice de la profession, influence positivement l’intention de quitter des PRH. Nos analyses nous ont permis d’identifier les différentes conditions d’emploi et d’exercice de la profession qui ont une influence sur l’intention de quitter des PRH. En ce qui concerne les conditions d’emploi, il s’agit de celles reliées au développement de carrière, à l’atmosphère au travail et au contenu de l’emploi. Du côté des conditions d’exercice de la profession, il s’agit du rôle d’agent de changement et de partenaires d’affaires qui ont une influence positive, tandis que le rôle d’expert fonctionnel influence négativement les intentions de quitter des PRH. Nos analyses mettent en évidence l’importance du respect des conditions d’emploi comparativement à celles associées aux conditions d’exercice de la profession. En effet, on constate que les trois conditions d’emploi qui ont une influence positive sur les intentions de quitter des PRH peuvent, sans contredit, être associées au développement professionnel, une valeur importante chez les PRH. / During the last decade, many changes have been observed in the labor markets which have lead organizations to review their work conditions. By improving the work environment, organizations have been able to attract and retain good workers. Human resource professionals (HRP) are not an exception. Indeed, HRP have specific expectations, they also develop their own psychological contract. This research attempts to understand the intent to quit of a HRP. Specifically, this research seeks to identify the conditions of employment and of professional practice through the theory of psychological contracts. When these conditions are not met, they positively influence the intent to quit of a HRP. According to our statistical analyses, psychological contract breach of the conditions of employment and of the conditions of professional practice positively influences the intent to quit of a HRP. More specifically, the conditions of employment which influence the intent to quit of a HRP are related to career development, social atmosphere and job content. Moreover, the role of a change agent and a strategic partner are the conditions of professional practice that influence negatively the intent to quit of a HRP. However, the role of an administrative expert influences positively the intent to quit of a HRP. Finally, our analysis highlights the importance of respecting the conditions of employment compared to those associated to the conditions of professional practice. Indeed, we find that the breach of three conditions of employment that have a positive influence on the intent to quit of a PRH can be associated to career development, which is a value that is more and more important for a PRH in current times.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Organisations worldwide are experiencing an explosion of knowledge in the current technological information age as well as a serious skills shortage. The fast-paced aggressive and highly cyclical nature of the profession which often does not provide employees with the necessary resources and support causes employees in the information technology (IT) industry to show high turnover intent which is extremely costly and detrimental to organisational success. IT specialists are becoming a scarce commodity in a highly competitive environment where financial gain is very important and employee well-being is not necessarily a prerogative. Employers are faced with additional obligations than just paying equitable salaries, such as creating an environment that is conducive towards well-being. Efforts to promote flourishing and optimal functioning of employees will affect individual and organisational outcomes. Flourishing and languishing are opposite end points on a continuum of mental health indicating the emotional, psychological and social well-being of individuals. An individual who feels well (emotional well-being) is more likely to function well (psychological and social well-being) which means meeting the criteria for positive mental health as flourishing. Investments in the well-being of employees lay the basis for positive employment relations. The aim of this study was to investigate the flourishing of employees in the information technology industry and to determine the antecedents and outcomes thereof. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data regarding the flourishing of IT professionals and its outcomes. A convenience sample (N = 205) was taken of employees in information technology organisations in South Africa. The measuring instruments used were the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, Job Satisfaction Scale, Work Engagement Scale, Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, Work Role Fit Scale, Psychological Contract Inventory, Violations of PC Questionnaire, Organisational Commitment Scale, Turnover Intention Scale and Counterproductive Work Behaviour measures. The results of study 1 showed that 58.5% of the IT professionals were neither languishing nor flourishing, while 3.9% were languishing. Flourishing strongly impacted job satisfaction and had minor to moderate direct and indirect effects on organisational citizenship behaviour and organisational commitment. Job satisfaction impacted directly and positively on organisational commitment and negatively on turnover intention; and moderately negatively on counterproductive behaviour. Flourishing had both a direct and positive effect, and an indirect and negative effect (via organisational commitment) on turnover intention. Study 2 showed that psychological contract breach and violation strongly and negatively impacted flourishing at work and in life. The results provided support for a model in which psychological contract breach and violation had both direct and indirect effects via satisfaction of psychological needs on job satisfaction, work engagement, turnover intention and flourishing of IT professionals. Study 3 showed that work role fit and the availability of resources were strong predictors of flourishing at work and in life. Work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted job satisfaction and social well-being indirectly through autonomy satisfaction. The availability of resources impacted work engagement and psychological well-being indirectly via competence satisfaction. Furthermore, work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted psychological well-being indirectly through relatedness. Recommendations for future research were made. / PhD, Labour relations management, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012