Unpacking Informal Contractual Relationships: Psychological Contracts Established by Australian Business Academics

Grant O'Neill, Branka Krivokapic-Skoko, David Dowell

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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Abstract

This paper addresses the findings from exploratory research on the content of psychological contracts formed by business academics within an Australian university. The research used a sequential multimethod research design, where focus groups were initially conducted to elicit insights into the content of the academics' psychological contracts. A cross-sectional survey was then administered and exploratory factor analysis of the data collected was undertaken. Cluster analysis was used to further examine perceived employer and employee obligations within a university context, and it proved useful as a means of deepening understanding of academics' psychological contracts, variation among them, and their possible workplace effects. The research identified the existence of quite divergent expectations, interests, motivations and levels of commitment by the academics to the university. It is argued that sensitivity to such variations, and appropriate tailoring of management initiatives and messages, is important if the university is to achieve its goals.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5-33
Number of pages29
JournalIrish Journal of Management
Volume29
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2010

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cluster analysis
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commitment
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O'Neill, Grant ; Krivokapic-Skoko, Branka ; Dowell, David. / Unpacking Informal Contractual Relationships : Psychological Contracts Established by Australian Business Academics. In: Irish Journal of Management. 2010 ; Vol. 29, No. 2. pp. 5-33.
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O'Neill, G, Krivokapic-Skoko, B & Dowell, D 2010, 'Unpacking Informal Contractual Relationships: Psychological Contracts Established by Australian Business Academics', Irish Journal of Management, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 5-33.

Unpacking Informal Contractual Relationships : Psychological Contracts Established by Australian Business Academics. / O'Neill, Grant; Krivokapic-Skoko, Branka; Dowell, David.

In: Irish Journal of Management, Vol. 29, No. 2, 2010, p. 5-33.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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AU - Dowell, David

N1 - Imported on 12 Apr 2017 - DigiTool details were: Journal title (773t) = Irish Journal of Management. ISSNs: 1649-248X;

PY - 2010

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N2 - This paper addresses the findings from exploratory research on the content of psychological contracts formed by business academics within an Australian university. The research used a sequential multimethod research design, where focus groups were initially conducted to elicit insights into the content of the academics' psychological contracts. A cross-sectional survey was then administered and exploratory factor analysis of the data collected was undertaken. Cluster analysis was used to further examine perceived employer and employee obligations within a university context, and it proved useful as a means of deepening understanding of academics' psychological contracts, variation among them, and their possible workplace effects. The research identified the existence of quite divergent expectations, interests, motivations and levels of commitment by the academics to the university. It is argued that sensitivity to such variations, and appropriate tailoring of management initiatives and messages, is important if the university is to achieve its goals.

AB - This paper addresses the findings from exploratory research on the content of psychological contracts formed by business academics within an Australian university. The research used a sequential multimethod research design, where focus groups were initially conducted to elicit insights into the content of the academics' psychological contracts. A cross-sectional survey was then administered and exploratory factor analysis of the data collected was undertaken. Cluster analysis was used to further examine perceived employer and employee obligations within a university context, and it proved useful as a means of deepening understanding of academics' psychological contracts, variation among them, and their possible workplace effects. The research identified the existence of quite divergent expectations, interests, motivations and levels of commitment by the academics to the university. It is argued that sensitivity to such variations, and appropriate tailoring of management initiatives and messages, is important if the university is to achieve its goals.

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KW - Employee commitment

KW - Professionalism

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O'Neill G, Krivokapic-Skoko B, Dowell D. Unpacking Informal Contractual Relationships: Psychological Contracts Established by Australian Business Academics. Irish Journal of Management. 2010;29(2):5-33.

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