An Empirical Assessment of Alternative Conceptualizations of the Psychological Contract Construct: Meaningful Differences or “Much to do about Nothing”? |
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Authors: | Mark V Roehling |
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Institution: | (1) School of Labor and Industrial Relations, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA |
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Abstract: | The reported study helps move the literature beyond conceptual arguments that have been made and repeated in the literature
by investigating the equivalence of three psychological contract (PC) measures that were based on alternative conceptualizations
of the PC construct. Employees from a wide range of organizations (n = 1054) were randomly assigned to complete either an expectation, obligation, or promise based measure of their PCs. The equivalence of the PC measures was assessed by comparing factor structures across the three
forms, and examining the observed pattern of correlations between the PC measures and external criteria (e.g., trust, equity
sensitivity, work centrality, education level). The results indicate that while the three PC measures evoke the same general
mental framework in the minds of respondents, and behave similarly for some purposes, depending on the specific relationships
being investigated, the measures may yield significantly different results (i.e., they are not fully interchangeable). Implications
for theorizing and future research regarding the PC construct are discussed. Also reported is new evidence linking individual
differences (e.g., work centrality, equity sensitivity) to perceived responsibilities and rights in the employment relationship. |
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Keywords: | psychological contracts employment relationship |
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