Psychological Contract Mutuality and Work-related Outcomes: Testing a Mediation Model
Iulia A Cioca1, José Ramos2,3, M Felisa Latorre4
1ScienceForWork (Romania).
The Spanish Journal of Psychology
|November 23, 2020
Summary
Mutual understanding of workplace promises (psychological contract mutuality) positively impacts job satisfaction and commitment. Fulfillment of these promises partially mediates this effect, highlighting the importance of shared expectations in the workplace.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Human Resource Management
Background:
- The psychological contract (PC) encompasses mutual promises between employers and employees.
- PC mutuality, or agreement on these promises, is central to PC theory.
- Understanding the link between PC mutuality, fulfillment, and outcomes is crucial for effective labor relations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a mediation model examining the relationship between PC mutuality and work-related outcomes.
- To investigate the mediating role of PC fulfillment in the PC mutuality-outcomes link.
- To analyze the impact of employer-promised PC mutuality on employee outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A mediation model was tested using data from 942 employees and their HR managers across 47 organizations in food, education, and sales sectors.
- The bootstrapping technique, as developed by Hayes (2009), was employed to test the mediation model.
- Employee affective, attitudinal, and behavioral work-related outcomes were assessed.
Main Results:
- PC mutuality significantly predicted key work-related outcomes, including job satisfaction, well-being, organizational commitment, and intention to quit.
- PC mutuality also influenced in-role perceived performance and perceptions of PC violation.
- PC fulfillment was found to partially mediate the relationship between PC mutuality and these outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The study supports the hypothesized mediation model, confirming the significant impact of PC mutuality on employee outcomes.
- PC fulfillment plays a partial mediating role, underscoring the importance of both agreement and delivery of promises.
- Organizations should prioritize establishing and maintaining PC mutuality to foster positive employee outcomes and enhance workplace relationships.
Keywords:
employment relationshipspsychological contract fulfillmentpsychological contract mutualitywork-related outcomesMore Related Videos
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