Psychological Contracts: Conceptual and Empirical Considerations
Branka Krivokapic–Skoko, Jodie Ivers & Grant O'Neill
Working Paper No. 01/06
January 2006
About the Authors
Dr Branka Krivokapic–Skoko is a lecturer in the School of Marketing and Management at Charles Sturt University, Jodie Ivers is an Honours student in that School, and Dr Grant O'Neill is Associate Head of the School.
Charles Sturt University – Faculty of Business Working Paper Series
Managing Editor: Associate Professor Jayne Bisman, School of Accounting, Bathurst
Editors: Dr P. Mathews, School of Commerce, Wagga Wagga
Associate Professor M. O'Mullane, School of Business, Albury
Dr R. Tierney, School of Marketing and Management, Bathurst
The Faculty of Business Working Paper Series is intended to provide staff and students with a means of communicating new and evolving ideas in order to encourage academic debate. Working papers, as the title suggests, should not necessarily be taken as completed works or final expressions of opinion. All working papers are subject to review prior to publication by one or more editors or referees familiar with the discipline area. Normally, working papers may be freely quoted and/or reproduced provided proper reference to the author and source is given. When a working paper is published on a restricted basis, notice of such restriction will appear on this page.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction
- 2. An overview of psychological contracts
- 2.2 Definitions of psychological contracts
- 2.3 Elements of psychological contracts
- 2.4 Formation of psychological contracts
- 2.4 Violation of psychological contracts
- 3. Empirical research on psychological contracts
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 General empirical findings
- 3.3 Researching psychological contracts within academia
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. References
Abstract
In light of recent trends of greater globalisation and restructuring, psychological contracts play an increasingly important role in contemporary employment relationships. Given the more dynamic and changeable academic environment, and limited past research into the contracts established between academics and the University, we hold that research into such relationships is of critical importance. This paper outlines the concept and the empirical research conducted on psychological contracts, with a particular emphasis on researching these contracts within academia. This discussion constitutes the first phase of an empirical analysis of the psychological contract established by the academics within the Faculty of Business, Charles Sturt University.