The changes in the political landscape in South Africa have exacerbated major transformation of the society and all other aspects of life, including education. It is in this view that transformation of the education sector resulted in the changes within the employment relationship, as well as the psychological contract between educators and the Department of Education. This is further explained by the changes experienced in both the employer and employee's obligations. Furthermore, these changes have a tremendous influence on the degree of job satisfaction, organisational commitment, as well as an intention to quit among educators. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the employment-and psychological contract of educators in the Sedibeng West District of the Gauteng Department of Education. The measuring instruments, i.e. employer's obligations, employee's obligations, job satisfaction, organisational commitment, as well as intention to quit questionnaires, were used in the empirical study. A cross -sectional survey design was conducted among 298 educators (including school managers) in the Sedibeng West District. A response rate of 75% (224 respondents) was obtained. The results indicate a practically significant correlation coefficient of a medium effect between the employer and the employee's obligations, a negative correlation of medium effect between the employer's obligations and an employee's intention to quit, and no significant relationship between the employee's obligations and an employee's intention to quit. Furthermore, a practically significant correlation coefficient of medium effect was obtained between job satisfaction and an employee's intention to quit, and no significant relationship could be found between job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Lastly, a practically significant negative correlation of a medium effect was obtained between organisational commitment and an intention to quit. A multiple regression analysis indicates that 21% of the variance in the employee's intention to quit was predicted by both the employer and employee's obligations. Organisational commitment and job satisfaction predicted 33% of the total variance. Recommendations for the Department of Education, as well as future research were also made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Sociology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

During the last decade, dramatic changes have been experienced in workplaces because of technological growth, globalisation, ever increasing competitive markets, changing industrial relation laws and better management skills (Cappelli, 1999). Amidst this change, the biggest issue is for organisations to gain dedication from their employees. Maslach et al (2001) explains that the impact of the changing world of work is perhaps most evident in changes in the psychological contract. Employees are expected to give more in terms of time, effort, skills and flexibility, whereas they receive less in terms of lifetime employment and job security. In security companies, the employer obligations and employee obligations also went through a process of change. Crime has become a very serious concern in South Africa. In Gauteng, crime has increased with 69,2% (SAP Statistics, 2005) from 1994 to 2004. Because of crime, many independent security companies were formed to help prevent crime, working together with the South African Police Force. A lack of research exists regarding employees' work outcomes like job insecurity, organisational commitment and intention to quit associated with the psychological contract within a service company. The objectives of this study are to investigate the relationship between employer obligations, employee obligations, job insecurity, organisational commitment and intention to quit of employees (N=217) in a service (security) company. A cross - sectional design was used. Constructs were measured by means of an employer obligations questionnaire, employee obligations questionnaire, job insecurity questionnaire, organisational commitment questionnaire and intention to quit questionnaire. The research method for each of the two articles consists of a brief literature review and an empirical study. Exploratory factor analysis, as well as Cronbach alpha coefficients are computed to access the reliability and validity of the different measurement instruments. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse data and Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, as well as regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between the constructs employed in this research. Significant differences are found between various biographical groups and the scores of the psychological contract (employer obligations scale and employee obligations scale), the job insecurity scale, the organisational commitment scale and the intention to quit scale. Conclusions are made, limitations of the current research are discussed and recommendations for future research are put forward. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Sociology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Understanding the employment relationship in the chemical industry in South Africa and organisational change within it is crucial to the understanding of the changing employment and psychological contract within this industry. This study focused on the employment- and psychological contracts, as well as employees ' work-outcomes (organisational commitment, job insecurity, job performance and intention to quit). Employees from the chemical industry were targeted and a cross-sectional survey design was used to obtain the research objectives. Descriptive statistics, factor analyses, Cronbach alpha coefficients, correlations, multiple regression analyses were used to analyse the data. In Article 1 the objectives were to investigate the reliability and validity of the measuring instruments, and to study the relationships between employment- and psychological contracts and other employment relation outcomes. The Psychological Contract Questionnaire (PCQ) and demographical questionnaire were administered. Three internally consistent factors, namely Employer Obligations, Employee Obligations and Status of the Psychological Contract were extracted. Statistically significant differences were found between employee obligations and state of psychological contract. Statistically significant relationships were also found between employee obligations and violation of psychological contract. In Article 2 the objective was to determine the relationship between employer obligations, employee obligations, and the state of psychological contract, violations of psychological contract and various demographical characteristics of employees in the chemical industry. The PSYCONES were administered. Practically significant relationships with a large effect were found between employer obligations, state of psychological contract and violation of psychological contract. Gender and age were statistically significantly related to experiences of the psychological contract. In Article 3 the aim was to assess the relationship between employer obligations, employee obligations, the state of the psychological contract, violations of the psychological contract, work-outcomes and the demographic of employees. The PSYCONES were used as measuring instruments. A practically significant relationship was found between the state of psychological contract, violation thereof (a large effect), job insecurity (a medium effect) and organisational commitment (a medium effect). Regression analyses showed that psychological contract violation predicted organisational commitment. A negative relationship was found between the violation of the psychological contract, as associated with the state of the psychological contract, and intention to quit. Theoretically, it was expected that job insecurity would have a negative impact on organisational commitment, but the results showed that a statistically and practically significant positive relationship exists between job insecurity and organisational commitment. Only the type of contract and qualifications of employees resulted in a statistically increase in the prediction of variance in job insecurity. Demographical characteristics (age, gender, tenure, supervision, qualifications, and type of contract) did not contribute to oganisational commitment. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Sociology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

Incorporating a psychological contract perspective into information technology projects, this study intends to explore the elements of the software publisher-reseller-end user psychological contract in the context of IT projects and contribute to existing literature in the field of IT psychological contracts. The data for this study was collected via 10 interviews conducted across 5 different cases. Interviewees were asked to describe IT projects they were recently involved in and outline what they perceived to be their obligations towards the other stakeholders and likewise, the obligations of the other stakeholders upon them. Interviews were transcribed and coded in accordance with existing IT project psychological contract elements derived from literature. The results of this study provided support to all psychological contract elements of the existing model and suggest refinements to better capture the perceived obligations of stakeholders in IT Projects. Furthermore, we observe that while the resellers’ and software publishers’ psychological contracts with end users conformed to the obligations expected under the model of supplier-customer relationships, the software reseller-software publisher psychological contracts reciprocally contained elements of both supplier and customer obligations. Finally, the findings of this study revealed that critical to the success of IT projects are the elements of transparency, accuracy, dedication, knowledge and responsibility.

Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The first construct of this study is leadership styles. This well-known concept has been widely explored in the research. Many different models have germinated from the different theories developed on leadership styles, and for the purpose of this research, the leadership style model approach developed by Kurt Lewin has been used as a framework or paradigm. According to this approach, their main styles are identified. These styles are known as authoritarian style, participating style and delegative style. The second construct that this study focuses on is the psychological contract. This is a well known concept that has been widely researched. It was found to have a strong impact on employers as well as employees in the workplace. Although numerous studies have been done regarding "the experience of employee and employer obligations through perceived promises made in the reciprocal employee-organisation relationship", it is evident that further research regarding the relationship with other concepts could be of immense value. The general objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between different leadership styles and the psychological contract in work teams. A quota sample (N= 151) was taken of team leaders and their members of work teams in the Process and Maintenance departments of a Mining Factory in Lichtenburg, North West Province. The Psycones questionnaire ("Psychological Contracts among Employment Relations) was used to measure the psychological contract while the leadership style questionnaire was used to identify the different leadership styles. Data collection was done by means of structured questionnaires through exploratory research by using a cross-sectional design. Cronbach alpha coefficients, factor analysis, inter-item correlation coefficients, Pearson product moment correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the data. The first objective of this study was to conceptualise the relationship between leadership styles and the psychological contract, which was achieved through an in depth literature review on the two constructs. A literature review on the psychological contract highlighted an integrative definition as well as an exploration of psychological contract breach and violation, and the consequences thereof. The review on the leadership styles gives a broad explanation of the different styles identified as well as the relevant impact thereof. The second objective of this study was to determine the construct validity and reliability of the leadership style questionnaire and psychological contract questionnaires. With the support from previous validated studies of these questionnaires carried out in a South African context, factor analyses and reliability analyses were nevertheless carried out and the results corresponded with the previous findings indicating the viability of these questionnaires. The third objective was to determine the relationship between the leadership styles and the psychological contract constructs. Through correlation analyses significant correlations achieved were those between the Delegate-Participative style and the Emotions of the PC as well as a positive relationship which was shown between Delegate-Participative style and the Emotions of the PC with a large effect. These conclusions sturdily propose a relationship between the Delegative-Participative Style and the PC. A multiple regression analysis with delegative-participative leadership style as dependent variable was carried out. When all component of the psychological contract were a statistically significant model was produced, with the variance explained increasing with 50%. The results indicated that a relationship exists between the delegative-participative leadership style and the psychological contract. Limitations within this research were identified, and recommendations were made for the both the profession of employers and employees in the mining company as well as for future research purposes. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This dissertation examines the influence of the psychological contract and leadership styles on the perceived performance of semi-professional rugby teams. Little research has connected the psychological contract and sport, and little research has investigated the effect of specific leader behaviours on the performance of sport teams. It was therefore the objective of this dissertation to analyse the content of the psychological contract of rugby team members, and to determine the correlation between the psychological contract and the perceived performance of rugby team members. This dissertation also set out to analyse the content of the preferred leadership style of the team captain and the own leadership style of team members, and to determine the correlation between leadership styles and perceived performance. A longitudinal research design was chosen, along with a non-probability sampling technique. The sample consisted of rugby team members from a prominent rugby-playing university in South Africa. Questionnaires were used to investigate the content of the psychological contract and preferred leadership style and own leadership style, as well as their relationship to perceived performance. The results indicated no correlation between the psychological contract and perceived performance, nor any correlation between leadership styles and perceived performance. A strong correlation, on the other hand, was found between the preferred leadership style of the team captain and the own leadership style of team members. A strong correlation between institute obligations and player obligations was also established. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Sociology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

With an increased focus on health promotion and chronic disease prevention, municipal recreation centres are becoming predominant places for community members to become physically engaged in a diversity of pursuits (Barnes, Maclean, & Cousens, 2010). Recreation Organizations are increasingly searching for flexibility in programming and staffing (Connelly, Gallagher, & Gilley, 2007; Coyle-Shapiro & Morrow, 2006; Lepak, Takeuchi, & Snell, 2003) and new forms of employee-employer relationships are evolving. One of the most common trends in the provision of recreation services is the use of third parties (contractors) who place their employees with client organizations (municipal recreation centres) on a long-term basis. This study explores the perspectives of four contract recreation service provider employees and their experiences delivering recreation programs at municipal recreation centres. Transcripts were used to illustrate each individual’s perspectives using their own words wherever possible and the four interviews were compared to identify similarities and differences. Three themes emerged from the interviews: focus of commitment, impact of perceived organizational support (POS) and the dynamic with the recreation centre. It was found that contractor’s employees in this type role were generally affectively committed to a variety of aspects of their jobs (the participants in the program, their career and the program/activity itself). Incidents were also identified that influenced POS (organizational policies and procedures and those perceived by the employee). It was also found that interactions with municipal recreation centre staff impacted the employee significantly. Future studies should explore this topic further and specific attention could be given to the working relationship between the contractor employee and the recreation centre. Research should also be conducted from the perspectives of the two other key players in this study: the recreation centre (recreation programmer) and the recreation contract service provider. / Graduate / 0680 / 0523 / 0575

本研究旨在探討國民中學校長轉型領導行為對於教職人員之心理契約實踐之關係。研究目的有： 一、瞭解遴選制度實施後，國民中學校長轉型領導之現況。 二、探討學校不同的個人背景變項教職人員及學校背景變項對校長領導行為覺知的差異情形。 三、探討學校教職人員之心理契約實踐現況。 四、探究教職人員背景對心理契約實踐覺知的差異。 五、探討校長轉型領導行為對於學校教職人員心理契約實踐之關係。 研究採用問卷調查法為主，以臺北市59所公立國民中學的教職人員為對象，共抽取26所學校，512教職人員為受試者進行調查，並以改編之「國民中學教職人員之心理契約量表」與「國民中學校長轉型領導量表」進行施測，共回收448份，有效問卷為386份，問卷回收率為87.5％，可用率為86.2％。資料以SPSS/PC12.0統計套裝軟體進行描述性統計、t考驗、單因子變異數（ANOVA）、Pearson，s積差相關、多元逐步迴歸分析與討論，所得主要結論如下： 一、臺北市國民中學校長轉型領導行為屬於「高」強度，在國民中學校長轉型領導行為「建立願景」、「個人魅力」、「鼓舞激勵」、「激發潛能」、「個別關懷」各個層面都屬高強度的情形。 二、就兼任職務而言，兼任行政職務的教師比沒有兼任行政職務的教師所知覺到校長表現較多的轉型領導；擔任主任職務的教師比擔任導師及專任教師，認為校長轉型領導實踐程度較高。 三、服務年資深者對於「鼓舞激勵」、「激發潛能」、「個別關懷」等層面高於服務年資較淺的教職人員，且在整體知覺校長轉型領導之實踐，亦顯現相同情形。 四、不同職務的教職人員在知覺整體心理契約實踐之差異情形，達顯著水準；擔任主任職務的教師比擔任導師及專任教師，認為學校在整體心理契約實踐程度較高。 五、服務於不同學校規模的教職人員，在整體知覺心理契約實踐之差異達顯著水準，服務於規模小的學校教職人員，在知覺心理契約實踐程度方面，高於服務於規模較大的學校教職人員。 六、校長轉型領導各層面「建立願景」、「個人魅力」、「鼓舞激勵」、「激發潛能」、「個別關懷」皆與學校教職人員的心理契約，有顯著的相關。 七、整體校長轉型領導行為與心理契約各構面相關係數最高者為「體恤教職部屬」，而相關程度最低者為「建立人情關懷」。 八、校長轉型領導各層面「建立願景」、「個人魅力」、「鼓舞激勵」、「激發潛能」、「個別關懷」具有預測教職人員知覺心理契約實踐之功能。 / The purpose of this study is to make a thorough inquiry into the relationship between the transformational leadership and the psychological contract of teaching staff in junior high schools. The purposes of the study are as follows: 1. To understand the current situation of the transformational leadership in junior high schools after the selecting system has been implemented. 2. To explore the effect of the various personal background variable and the teaching staff’s school background variable on principal’s leading behavioral differences. 3. To research into the current situation of the psychological contract of teaching staff in junior high schools. 4. To study the influence that the teaching staff’s background has on the perceptive difference of the psychological contract. 5. To make a thorough inquiry into the relationship between the transformational leadership and the psychological contract of teaching staff in junior high schools. This study uses survey method. The survey instrument is revised from 「The psychological contract of teaching staff in junior high schools scales」and 「The transformational leadership in junior high schools scales」. The survey samples are 512 teaching staffs from 26 junior high schools in Taipei city. There are 448 returns, and there are 386 valid responses which are analyzed by statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson r, and multiple regression using SPSS/PC12.0 program. The conclusions obtained from this study are summarized as follows: 1. The principals’ behavior in junior high schools of Taipei city belongs to high intensity. This situation displays in the perspectives of 「prospect formation」,「idealized influence」,「inspirational motivation」,「intellectual stimulation」, and 「individualized consideration」. 2. The administrators can perceive much transformational leadership than the teachers. And the directors consider that the principal has higher extent of the transformational leadership than the teachers. 3. The seniority staffs sense higher extent in the aspect of 「inspirational motivation」, 「intellectual stimulation」, and 「individualized consideration」 than the junior staffs, which also happens in the aspect of perception of transformational leadership. 4. There are obviously differences between the administrators and teachers in perception the implement of psychological contract. The directors consider higher implement of psychological contract than the teachers. 5. There are obviously differences between the staffs in different school scale. The staffs in the small school consider higher implement of psychological contract than the staffs in the big school. 6. There is obviously correlation between transformational leadership and psychological contract of teaching staffs. 7. The highest correlation coefficient between transformational leadership and psychological contract of teaching staffs is 「showing consideration for staffs」. The lowest correlation coefficient is 「building up consideration」 8. The various perspectives of the transformational leadership have the function of predicting the psychological contract of teaching staffs. ( Keywords: transformational leadership, psychological contract .)

The "psychological contract" is one of today's hottest buzzwords. In this ever­ continuing competitive and changing environment rapid organisational and managerial change is required to enable business and organisations to survive. The objective of this research was to investigate the extent to which opinions of employees about the various psychological contract dimensions can influence the overall employment relationship. A literature survey concerning the psychological contract construct, its dimensions and the variables affecting the psychological contract was done. A sample of 394 employees within an Auditing firm was obtained, from which three departments (Management Consulting, Auditing and Information Systems) employees opinions on the psychological contract dimensions were compared. The results of the empirical study indicated that there are comparable differences in employee's perceptions of the various dimensions of the psychological contract. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)