The Relationships Between Psychological Contract Expectations and Counterproductive Work Behaviors: Employer Perception

Abstract

Purpose: The article attempts to identify the relationship between employers’ psychological contract perception (relational and transactional expectations) and the occurrence of counterproductive work behavior among their employees. The study seeks to extend the understanding of the psychological contract concept and its correlation with counterproductive work behaviors. There are numerous studies analyzing the perceptions of obligations and promises of a psychological contract from the employee’s viewpoint. However, the question of employer expectations and the perception of the fulfillment of these expectations is not less important, albeit much less elaborated.

Methodology: Participants were 101 managers and owners of small and medium companies who represent different businesses in construction industry in the Ukrainian market. Data were collected through a questionnaire.

Key findings: The results of the study show that employers have a high level of expectations toward their employees, and the relational character of the expectations is dominant. However, the perceptions of the fulfillment of these expectations were at a moderate level. The results also show that employers reveal a moderate level of counterproductive work behavior (CWB) and a significant relationship between psychological contract (PC), relational expectations, an