I seek to further understand and empirically test the role of ideology, or commitment to an espoused cause, as part of a multidimensional psychological contract among employees in organizational settings. I present and provide a preliminary validation of a measure of ideological contracts and propose a model that suggests employees develop perceived obligations with their employers based on economic, social, and ideological reasons. Different behaviors are likely to be expected based on the obligation types that are most significant to the employees. Specifically, my model suggests obligations stemming from the espousal of a cause may elicit positive employee contributions toward organizational goals. Further, I posit that employees may seek to benefit distinct individuals and/or entities within the organization based on their psychological contract form. Cross-sectional data from four distinct samples provided strong support for the idea that transactional, relational, and ideological components of the psychological contract are distinct, and preliminary support that such components are predictive of specific individual-level outcomes.

This research focuses on the employment contract of low and unskilled workers in the underground coal mining industry in South Africa and aims to link the concepts of psychological contract, blue-collar workers, race and gender diversity. Due to the recent economic crisis, mining companies are under pressure to increase productivity and reduce cost. It is therefore important for mining companies to understand and manage the employment contract of blue-collar workers in order to improve labour productivity and effectiveness. Quantitative research was conducted among 179 low and unskilled workers in a major coal mining company by means of a modified Psycones psychological contract questionnaire. The following key results were obtained: • Employer obligations in the psychological contract for blue-collar workers in the underground coal mining industry are not fully met; • Significant differences were found in the level of fulfilment of the psychological contract of Black males, Females and White males. The level of fulfilment for Black males is significantly lower than White males. Females have the highest level of employer obligation expectations. • The level of fulfilment of the psychological contract decreases with length of tenure. The results of the research confirms the importance of the fulfilling of employer obligations such as providing “opportunities to grow” and providing an environment to “work together in a pleasant way”. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

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The main aim of this thesis is to investigate the processes of the psychological contract during organisational socialisation. Research on psychological contract tends to focus more on the content and breach of the contract. Very little is known about the formative stages of the contract. Very little attention has also been given to investigating the psychological contract together with organisational socialisation. Linking the two research areas would further our understanding of both the dynamic nature of the psychological contract. This is achieved by investigating the temporal changes of the psychological contract of new employees, pre-entry up to six months post entry into employment. The research also investigates the psychological contract from the employer`s perspective. It utilises Weick`s (1995) sensemaking properties as a methodological framework to better understand these processes. Consistent with the research aim and objectives and social constructionism, a qualitative methodology was adopted. The research used in-depth semi structured interviews to collect data supplemented with sitting in during recruitment interviews in one of the organisations, and data were analysed using template analysis. Periodic interviews were carried out every four to six months post entry. The research consists of two organisations, where each provided two groups for analysis. The findings show that after entry into the organisation, the psychological contract changes in a variety of ways influenced by socialisation into the organisation. A model based on the findings is presented and discussed in the discussion chapter. The research also makes a contribution (methodology) by adopting the sensemaking framework.

Orientation: Psychological contract theory is expanded by making a distinction between entitlements beliefs and obligations and expectations of prospective employees. Research purpose: To explore and substantiate themes associated with perceived entitlements and utilise this information to develop a structural model of the anticipatory psychological contract. Motivation for the study: Without taking the entitlement beliefs and reasons therefore into account when examining the psychological contract of an individual, a full view on the psychological contract and its expected consequences cannot be achieved. Research design, approach and method: A qualitative approach to research was adopted consisting of interviews with final year graduate and post-graduate students to derive themes associated with expectations and entitlement beliefs of prospective employees. These themes were utilised to develop a structural model portraying the anticipatory psychosocial contract. Main Findings: A structural model was developed that illustrates the anticipatory psychological contract of prospective employees. The model suggests that there are certain factors that determine an individual's entitlement beliefs, and in turn that individual's entitlement beliefs will influence the level of expectation of that individual regarding future employment. Practical/managerial implications: By fully comprehending the effects of the entitlement beliefs on the anticipatory psychological contract of prospective employees the organisation may minimise the occurrence of psychological breach or violation, which may decrease new employee turnover. Contribution/value-add: Although entitlement was mentioned in previous psychological contract research it has never been investigated as a separate component of the psychological contract. Psychological entitlement must be treated as a scientific construct in organisational sciences since understanding an employee‟s perception of entitlement is essential to understanding the expectations of that employee and, in particular, the nature of exchange between employees and the organisation. The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between entitlement beliefs and expectations of students‟ future employment. A sample of 179 final year economic and management sciences students was used for this study. A questionnaire was used that measured entitlement perceptions and perceived expectations in future employment of the students. This study concluded that all graduates had a relatively high level of perceived entitlement and expectations regarding future employment. A strong correlation was measured between entitlement beliefs and expectations of the anticipatory psychological contract. This study is unique in the sense that it includes entitlement beliefs in the research of the psychological contract as a separate construct to expectations. / Thesis (MCom (Labour Relations Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Orientation: Psychological contract theory is expanded by making a distinction between entitlements beliefs and obligations and expectations of prospective employees. Research purpose: To explore and substantiate themes associated with perceived entitlements and utilise this information to develop a structural model of the anticipatory psychological contract. Motivation for the study: Without taking the entitlement beliefs and reasons therefore into account when examining the psychological contract of an individual, a full view on the psychological contract and its expected consequences cannot be achieved. Research design, approach and method: A qualitative approach to research was adopted consisting of interviews with final year graduate and post-graduate students to derive themes associated with expectations and entitlement beliefs of prospective employees. These themes were utilised to develop a structural model portraying the anticipatory psychosocial contract. Main Findings: A structural model was developed that illustrates the anticipatory psychological contract of prospective employees. The model suggests that there are certain factors that determine an individual's entitlement beliefs, and in turn that individual's entitlement beliefs will influence the level of expectation of that individual regarding future employment. Practical/managerial implications: By fully comprehending the effects of the entitlement beliefs on the anticipatory psychological contract of prospective employees the organisation may minimise the occurrence of psychological breach or violation, which may decrease new employee turnover. Contribution/value-add: Although entitlement was mentioned in previous psychological contract research it has never been investigated as a separate component of the psychological contract. Psychological entitlement must be treated as a scientific construct in organisational sciences since understanding an employee‟s perception of entitlement is essential to understanding the expectations of that employee and, in particular, the nature of exchange between employees and the organisation. The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between entitlement beliefs and expectations of students‟ future employment. A sample of 179 final year economic and management sciences students was used for this study. A questionnaire was used that measured entitlement perceptions and perceived expectations in future employment of the students. This study concluded that all graduates had a relatively high level of perceived entitlement and expectations regarding future employment. A strong correlation was measured between entitlement beliefs and expectations of the anticipatory psychological contract. This study is unique in the sense that it includes entitlement beliefs in the research of the psychological contract as a separate construct to expectations. / Thesis (MCom (Labour Relations Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Recognising the injustices of South Africa’s apartheid past, there is a responsibility on employers to ensure that employment equity practices are implemented, without harming important aspects regarding the employment relationship, such as the psychological contract. The psychological contract is a construct that is relevant to employment and yet there is little research on the influence of external regulations on the psychological contract. To cater for this void, this study therefore focussed on the effects that employment equity legislation and practices have on the psychological contract. In this regard special attention was given to the influence of employment equity on employees’ intention to resign, which forms an important part of the psychological contract. The study also focussed on the differences that exist between the three social groupings that are present in South African organisations, namely white males, Africans and a group consisting of white females, Coloureds and Indians, regarding their perceptions about how employment equity influences the psychological contract. A structured questionnaire comprising standardised scales was used to explore the effect of employment equity legislation on the psychological contract in the context of a tertiary institution. A sample of 399 employees from a tertiary institution participated in the study. A number of statistically significant relationships between the research variables were evident for each of the three groupings of participants. The overall outcome of the study was that employment equity does not have a significant effect on the psychological contract in a tertiary institution and no significant differences were found between the responses of the three social groupings involved in the study. This study makes an important contribution to an area potentially rich in research opportunities; with subsequent meaningful practical implications for managers implementing employment equity strategies. / Dissertation (MPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Orientation – Talent Management Practices and the Psychological Contract are two distinct constructs and it appears that Talent Management influences the Psychological Contract, with the result being a stronger Psychological Contract. Research Purpose – The study aims to determine the relationship between Talent Management and the Psychological Contract. Motivation for the Study – The world of work and the Psychological Contract have changed. Employees value knowledge, skills and experience more than being loyal to an organisation. Today, turnover is a lot higher than it was a few years ago. Talent Management may be a successful intervention to strengthen the Psychological Contract. Research Design, Approach and Method – Two instruments, namely Talent Practices and the Psychological Contract Inventory, were administered online and paper-based to a sample of 556 employees in Pretoria and Centurion. 102 completed questionnaires were obtained. Responses were analysed using quantitative techniques and correlation analysis. Main Findings – Results confirm that generally good Talent Management practices are associated with a positive Psychological Contract. Practical / Managerial Implications – The study provides evidence that management can use Talent Management Practices to strengthen the Psychological Contract, leading to lower turnover, improved motivation and productivity, loyalty, etc. The study therefore emphasises that it is important for management to implement Talent Management Practices. Contribution / Value Add – The findings of the study indicate a generally positive relationship between Talent Management and the Psychological Contract. The study focuses -on the importance of implementing Talent Management practices in order to strengthen the Psychological Contract. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

The association the alignment of the psychological contract has to workplace outcomes in the South African emerging market context was investigated at a total psychological contract level but also on a psychological contract construct level. The results of 106 manager and employee dyads supported that there are correlations between psychological contract alignment and the performance of employees as rated by their manager, the commitment of the employee to the organisation and the propensity of the employee to leave the organisation. Models were developed that indicated alignment on loyalty aspects explaining the performance outcome and that a combination of alignment on fulfilment and performance support explained the commitment and propensity to leave outcome. Differences in responses between same gender dyads and different gender dyads were explored, as well as between same population group and different population group dyads with no statistically significant differences observed. The results of the study are discussed in terms of its practical use for general and human resource management. Further related research areas are suggested: the association of psychological contract alignment to propensity to leave in a positive economic climate, the degree of bias in performance ratings by managers when highly committed to the employee. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Background:  Leader member exchange (LMX) theory focuses on the different associations established by the leaders with their followers through a system of exchanges (high quality and low exchanges), whereas a psychological contract is a tacit agreement between the employer and employee and comprises of employee's beliefs regarding the mutual obligations between the employee and an employer. Since an organization communicates and negotiates through its representatives which indicates people in managerial positions, it is meaningful to draw that the relationship quality between employee and their supervisors may affect the tacit agreement between the employee and organization. Though prior integration of Leader Member Exchange theory and Psychological contract has established the link between these two area of literature, as well as LMX dimensions to Psychological contract fulfilment, there is no empirical study taken place in Asia where Anand, Hu, Liden and Vidyarthi (2011) once observed that LMX and its dimensions may operate differently in more collectivistic and higher power distance cultures. Therefore, this research aims to examine the two main aspects of literature in one of the leading construction management of Asia located in Vietnam.   Research questions: Does LMX improve psychological contracts between the organization and the employees? Sub-research question: What is the effect of LMX dimensions on psychological contract fulfilment? Is there any right mix of LMX dimensions in the organization that positively affects the psychological contract?   Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction effects of leader-member exchange (LMX) and its dimensions on psychological contracts in one specific organization, in other words, it investigates to answer if the different quality exchanges between the leaders/managers with employees support to enhance better mutual obligations between them and give negative or positive effects to the psychological contracts. Secondly, it figures out what exactly is the effect of LMX dimensions on psychological contract fulfilment. Practically, it is to help the researchers and practitioners recognize the increasingly important role of psychological contract which is normally unwritten in formal contract but otherwise gives huge negative influence which results in losing employee’s retention and loyalty. Accordingly, by generating “leader-member exchange” more effectively, the leaders will distribute and/or exchange resources toward the employees better which results in better employee retention and talent management strategies, directly contributing to the organization’s long term sustainable development.   Theoretical framework:  Articles were used for this thesis were meticulously chosen, focusing on reliable sources and quality content that cover the theoretical background of both main research area of Psychological contracts and Leader-Member Exchange during their historical research until recent. Particular information of the empirical organization and the related industry were brought from the organization and related reports and professional analysis from industry experts.   Method: This is a cross-sectional study whose methodology choice is a Mixed methods research which inquires the involvement of both quantitative and qualitative data, integrating these two forms of data with narrative analysis. The data was collected from a construction management organization consists of 385 employees. It adopted interpretivism philosophy in order to create new, richer understandings and interpretations of issues related to social worlds and context, in particular exploring the issue of whether LMX theory have an influence on psychological contracts fulfilment. It follows a deductive reasoning as its main approach.   Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the results of respondents’ surveys and the interpretation of the attendants from Focus Group, the discussion was structured and analyzed in line with the structure of the theoretical framework. The study reveals that the psychological contract fulfillment depends not only on the right combination of LMX dimensions and the concern of those most important dimensions but also the distinct characteristics of the organization which concern about their organization behavior and industry features. The study also provides solutions to leaders in order to overcome the problems associated with LMX that can lead to psychological contract breach.   Originality/Value – This is the first study that focuses on examining the effect of LMX and its dimensions on psychological contract fulfilment in an Asian country.