scholarly journals The double psychological contracts of temporary agency workers

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 708-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Morf ◽  
Alexandra Arnold ◽  
Bruno Staffelbach
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Job Attitudes ◽  
Psychological Contracts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Temporary Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Traditional Work ◽  
Temporary Work Agencies ◽  
Temporary Agency Workers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how temporary agency workers’ job attitudes are influenced by the fulfilment of the psychological contract; a set of employees’ expectations, formed with the temporary work agency and its client: the host organisation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper estimated moderated regressions with data collected through an online survey of 352 temporary agency workers employed by a large temporary work agency in Switzerland. Findings – Results suggest that temporary agency workers’ job satisfaction, commitment towards the host organisation, and intentions to stay with the temporary work agency relate positively to the fulfilment of the psychological contract by both organisations. Additionally, reported spill-over-effects imply that the fulfilment of the psychological contract by one organisation moderates job attitudes towards the other organisations. Research limitations/implications – Results of the explorative study reveal that future research should consider the interrelated nature of psychological contracts in working arrangements when multiple employers are involved. However, for more generalisable results, a greater international sample, including different temporary work agencies, would be favourable. Practical implications – Findings will help temporary work agencies to better understand how they rely on host organisations to fulfil the temporary agency workers’ psychological contract to attract and retain temporary agency workers. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature in the understudied field of non-traditional work arrangements as one of the few to examine these spill-over-effects both empirically and theoretically.

Fulfilling employees’ psychological contracts: organizational socialization’s role

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D. DeBode ◽  
Kevin W. Mossholder ◽  
Alan G. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Psychological Contracts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Employees ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Psychological Contract Fulfillment ◽  
Person Organization Fit ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of psychological contract fulfillment in the relationship between socialization tactics and attachment-related outcomes (i.e. organizational commitment and person-organization fit). Design/methodology/approach Data were obtained from online data collection services which allowed for a custom sample of new employees (n=326) from a variety of organizations and industries. Findings Psychological contract fulfillment partially mediated the relationship between one socialization tactic (i.e. social) and attachment-related outcomes. Post hoc analyses offered support for a hierarchy of socialization tactics with respect to prediction of organization-relevant outcomes. Research limitations/implications Researchers and practitioners have long believed socialization plays an important role in creating successful new employees. However, researchers have yet to adequately examine the mechanisms facilitating these relationships. This study advances the socialization literature by highlighting one such mechanism – psychological contract fulfillment. Originality/value This study seeks to explore the “black box” of socialization. Specifically, whereas prior work has suggested one tactic (i.e. social) may be more important than others, this is among the few studies exploring a potential hierarchy of socialization tactics. The authors then discuss the implications of this hierarchy for future research.

scholarly journals Authentic leadership and career satisfaction: the meditating role of thriving and conditional effect of psychological contract fulfillment

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 2117-2136
Author(s):  
Wen Chang ◽  
James Busser ◽  
Anyu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Career Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Contracts ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conditional Effect ◽  
Psychological Contract Fulfillment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims examine the impact of authentic leadership on the career satisfaction of hospitality employees through the lens of thriving. The two components of thriving, that is, learning and vitality, are tested as mediators, and psychological contract fulfillment is tested as a boundary factor. Design/methodology/approach Data are collected using an online survey through the Qualtrics panel service in the USA. Structural equation modeling and an invariance test are conducted to investigate the framework. Findings The findings show that authentic leadership can determine career satisfaction through the influence of learning and vitality. Moreover, psychological contract fulfillment exerts a conditional effect on this mediation. Practical implications The findings of this study extend the understanding on authentic leadership and its impact under specific conditions. This study offers several meaningful recommendations to hospitality managers on how to influence employees’ career success to maintain sustainable performance. Detailed approaches include establishing practices for regular and authentic leadership development, increasing attention on employee thriving states and addressing employee psychological contracts. Originality/value This study enriches research on authentic leadership and career management in the hospitality industry. Moreover, this study provides meaningful insights by examining the relationships between authentic leadership, thriving, career satisfaction and psychological contracts.

Informal learning of temporary agency workers in low-skill jobs

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Preenen ◽  
Sarike Verbiest ◽  
Annelies Van Vianen ◽  
Ellen Van Wijk
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Temporary Workers ◽  
Income Volatility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Temporary Work Agencies ◽  
Temporary Agency Workers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop and investigate the idea that self-profiling and career control by temporary agency workers (TAWs) in low-skill jobs are positively related to informal learning and that this relationship is mediated by job challenge. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey study was conducted among 722 TAWs in low-skill jobs in the Netherlands. Bootstrap mediation analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Findings – Self-profiling and career control are positively related to informal learning of TAWs and these relationships are mediated by job challenge. Research limitations/implications – This is the first study to develop and empirically test the proposition that self-profiling and career control are important factors for enhancing employees’ learning experiences in low-skill jobs. Practical implications – Hiring companies and temporary work agencies could stimulate and train TAWs’ self-profiling and career control competencies to enhance their job challenge and informal learning. Organizations should consider assigning challenging tasks to TAWs, which may be a good alternative for expensive formal training programs. Social implications – Many TAWs in low-skill jobs do not possess the skills and capacities to obtain a better or more secure job. In general, temporary workers face a higher risk of unemployment and greater income volatility (Segal and Sullivan, 1997). Gaining knowledge about how to develop this group is important for society as a whole. Originality/value – Research on the determinants of informal learning mainly concerned higher-educated employees and managers with long-term contracts (e.g. Dong et al., 2014), whereas very little is known about factors that stimulate informal learning among TAWs in general, and among TAWs in low-skill jobs in particular.

German temporary agency workers’ SWB: the impact of POS provided by agencies

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1030-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Imhof ◽  
Maike Andresen
Keyword(s):  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Temporary Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Temporary Work Agencies ◽  
Perceived Job Insecurity ◽  
Temporary Agency Workers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the specific relationship between temporary agency workers (TAWs) and their employing temporary work agencies in Germany that is characterized – in contrast to other European countries – by agencies’ central role in employment and the prevalence of permanent contracts. The study addresses a research gap in understanding the mediating role of perceived organizational support (POS) provided by temporary work agencies in the relationship between employment-specific antecedents and TAWs’ subjective well-being (SWB). Design/methodology/approach Based on a sample of 350 TAWs in Germany, the mediating role of POS provided by agencies is analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The authors show that procedural justice, performance feedback and social network availability positively relate to POS while perceived job insecurity shows the expected negative influence and distributive justice has no impact on POS. POS, in turn, positively relates to SWB. The partially mediating effect of POS between employment-specific antecedents and SWB is also confirmed. Research limitations/implications The study is based on cross-sectional data and self-reported measures; this may limit causal inferences. Practical implications The results highlight the importance of agencies creating POS and reducing perceived job insecurity for improving TAWs’ SWB. Originality/value The study contributes to previous POS research by focusing on the agencies’ role and by showing the mediating effect of POS on TAWs’ SWB in Germany.

How do you warn them if they speak only Spanish? Challenges for organizations in communicating risk to Colonias residents in Texas, USA

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 533-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudha Arlikatti ◽  
Hassan A. Taibah ◽  
Simon A. Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Risk Information ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diverse Groups ◽  
Communicating Risk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the information channels used by public and nonprofit organizations to communicate disaster risk information to Colonias residents in Hidalgo County, Texas. It seeks to find creative and proactive solutions for organizations to improve risk education to these constituents. Design/methodology/approach – Initially a snowball sampling technique was used to conduct six face-to-face interviews. This was followed by an online survey sent to 64 reputational referrals, of which 23 completed the survey, generating a response rate of 34 percent. A comparative analysis between public and nonprofit organizations and the Fischer's exact test were employed to analyze the data. Findings – Channel preferences for providing risk information varied with public organizations using the television (TV) and the nonprofit organizations using bilingual staff for outreach. The television, radio, public events, and bilingual staff were considered to be the most effective while social media (Facebook, Twitter, and city web sites) was not considered at all by both groups. Lack of funding and staffing problems were identified as the primary challenges. Research limitations/implications – One limitation is that the paper focusses on organizations serving Spanish speakers in the Texas Colonias. Future research needs to investigate how other localities at border sites where culturally and linguistically diverse groups might reside, receive and understand risk information. The role of cross-national organizations in creating internationally coordinated plans for disaster communication should also be explored. Originality/value – It highlights the challenges faced by organizations in communicating risk, especially in border communities where culturally and linguistically diverse groups reside.

Consumer values in the Brazilian market for ethical cosmetics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Graciano ◽  
Aline Cafruni Gularte ◽  
Fernando Henrique Lermen ◽  
Marcia Dutra de Barcellos
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Personal Values ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Personality Profiles ◽  
Homogeneous Sample ◽  
Environmental Preservation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Avant Garde ◽  
Ethical Consumers ◽  
Consumer Values

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the personal values of consumers of ethical cosmetics in Brazil, using the resulting personality types to segment consumers for the development of strategies by Brazilian retailers and international players.Design/methodology/approachThis study administered the psychometric Values and Lifestyles Scale (VALS) via an online survey with 302 consumers of ethical cosmetics. First, exploratory factorial analysis was employed to identify the behavior of VALS' factors within the sample. Second, cluster analysis was performed using hierarchical clustering technique in order to link demographic variables and VALS' types to form specific consumer profiles.FindingsThe study found eight VALS types in the sample respondents but with a different configuration than the original factors. They were named, respectively, “Avant-garde”, “Oriented to fashion”, “Artisans”, “Committed to morality and religion”, “Leader of a group”, “Theoretical”, “Ingenious” and “Conservative”. Results indicated a demographically homogeneous sample with personality profiles mostly placed among VALS' original factors “Experiencer”, “Thinker” and “Innovator”.Research limitations/implicationsResults may vary within other cultural contexts and different means of investigation suggesting future research opportunities.Practical implicationsEthical demands concerning health and environmental preservation are no longer neglectable. The study of consumers' personal values can contribute to formulate suitable retail strategies for expected demands of consumers in the ethical cosmetics segment.Originality/valueThese findings are expected to provide resources for decision-makers, academics, practitioners and marketers concerning several points of sensitivity in their relationship with ethical consumers.

Fashion designers' attitude-behaviour inconsistencies towards a sustainable business model: a neutralisation theory perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asphat Muposhi ◽  
Brighton Nyagadza ◽  
Chengedzai Mafini
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Sustainable Fashion ◽  
Fashion Designers

PurposeFashion designers in South Africa remain ambivalent in embracing sustainable fashion. This study examines the role of neutralisation techniques on attitude towards sustainable fashion. The study was conducted in South Africa, an emerging market known for water scarcity and pollution emanating from the textile industry.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional data from a sample of 590 fashion designers using a web-based online survey. Study constructs were drawn from the neutralisation theory and theory of planned behaviour.FindingsStandard multiple regression analysis results identified denial of injury, appeal to higher loyalties and external locus of control as the major rationalisation techniques influencing South African designers' negative attitudes towards sustainable fashion.Research limitations/implicationsResearch was conducted in South Africa where the concept of sustainable fashion is still at developmental stages. The generalisation of the study findings may be enhanced by extending the study to other markets with a fully developed market for sustainable fashion.Practical implicationsThe study results underscore the necessity of reducing social, structural and institutional barriers associated with the adoption of sustainable fashion. This study provides input towards efforts to develop attitude change strategies to stimulate designers to embrace sustainable fashion.Originality/valueThe research study contributes to theory, practice and future research.

Incongruent influences: joint effects on the job attitudes of employees with psychological contract breach in the MENA region

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveen Jain ◽  
Danilo Le Sante ◽  
Chockalingam Viswesvaran ◽  
Rakesh Belwal
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Job Attitudes ◽  
Psychological Contract Breach ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Contract Breach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Variables

Purpose The psychological contract breach (PCB) literature has documented the negative effects of PCB on employee job attitudes and the variables that moderate (accentuate or mitigate) this relationship. Given that multiple variables together influence a subordinate’s PCB – job attitudes relationship, this paper aims to investigate a three-way interaction between corporate reputation, supervisor’s and subordinate’s PCBs on the job attitudes of the latter. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected a dyadic sample of 227 employees and their 79 supervisors from some of the well-known companies in Oman. The authors used SPSS (version 25) to examine the three-way interaction of focal employee PCB, supervisor PCB and corporate reputation on employee job attitudes. Findings The results indicated that depending on the perception of corporate reputation, the extent of the supervisor’s PCB perception has a differential influence on the employee PCB – job attitudes relationship. Originality/value By investigating the joint (sometimes conflicting) influences of multiple moderators which enhances the ecological validity, this paper makes an original and important contribution to the PCB literature.

Gamblers’ aces in the hole: the effect of erroneous cognitions on dysfunctional gambling

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donata Tania Vergura
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gambling Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gambling Involvement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether gambler’s cognitive errors affect gambling involvement and addiction. As the popularity of gambling has grown, questions are being raised about its excessive use and factors related to addictive behaviours. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey on 508 gamblers was conducted. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the relationships among gambling beliefs, gambling involvement and problem gambling. Findings – Among the three sets of erroneous beliefs investigated, luck and superstition were significant predictors of both gambling involvement and the severity of gambling problems (according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)), while the illusion of control showed a negative relationship with the PGSI. Moreover, gambling involvement positively affected the potential risk of disease and mediates the relationship between luck and superstition and PGSI. Research limitations/implications – Because not all cognitive dimensions apparently influence gambling behaviour, future research should extend the analysis to include other variables that may moderate or mediate the causal relationship. Practical implications – The results are useful to marketers in developing social marketing campaigns wishing to discourage gambling. Moreover, factors that influence gambling involvement and addiction may be used as diagnostic tools to correct gamblers behaviour. Originality/value – The paper proposes a deeper exploration of the relationships among beliefs, gambling involvement and dysfunctional gambling and an appropriate scale to capture the entire spectrum of gambler’s beliefs in relation to every form of gambling activity.

scholarly journals Psychological contract profiles among permanent and temporary agency workers

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J Chambel ◽  
Laura Lorente ◽  
Vânia Carvalho ◽  
Isabel Maria Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Temporary Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Permanent Workers ◽  
Temporary Agency Workers

Purpose – Based on the psychological contract (PC) theory, the purpose of this paper is to identify PC profiles, differentiating between permanent and temporary agency workers (TAW). Moreover, the authors analyzed whether different profiles presented different levels of work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey data analysis of 2,867 workers, of whom 1,046 were TAW, was analyzed using latent profile analyses. Findings – Four PC profiles were identified, which differed quantitatively in terms of the overall dimension levels (i.e. balanced, relational and transactional) for PC (i.e. content and fulfillment). ANCOVAs showed that the relational/balanced dominant and transactional dominant profiles presented similar engagement levels for TAW, but for permanent workers the former profile showed higher engagement than the latter. However, for both permanent and TAW the fulfillment profile showed higher engagement than the unfulfillment profile. Research limitations/implications – The cross-sectional design and the reliance on self-report measures are the limitations of this study, although no causality was claimed and method biases were controlled. Practical implications – Actions that increase PC fulfillment positively affect the employment relationship of TAW with the client organization. Originality/value – Few studies have addressed PC typologies. Furthermore, most studies have focussed on temporary workers, but not on TAW and their contract with the client organization. Finally, this study emphasizes the crucial role played by the PC in the levels of work engagement.

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