Not seeing eye to eye

Differences in supervisor and subordinate perceptions of and attributions for psychological contract breach

Bibliographic Data

ID12167401
AuthorsScott W Lester (University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, corresponding author), William H Turnley (Kansas State University), James M Bloodgood (0000-0002-5761-7779, Kansas State University), Mark C Bolino (0000-0003-0736-140X, University of Notre Dame)
Year2001
Volume23
Issue1
Pages39-56
Publication date2001-12-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Organizational Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0894-3796 • E-ISSN: 1099-1379
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/job.126
OpenAlexW2052902262
LanguageEN
Citations received35
References cited37

This study examines supervisor and subordinate perceptions of and attributions for psychological contract breach. The data suggest that supervisor and subordinate perceptions are most likely to differ on the extent to which the organization violated its obligations to provide fair pay, advancement opportunities, and a good employment relationship. In addition, the results indicate that the greater the degree of psychological contract breach reported by subordinates, the less committed they are to the organization and the lower their job performance (as rated by their supervisor). Moreover, when psychological contract breach is perceived, supervisors' and subordinates' attributions regarding the reasons for the breach are likely to differ. Specifically, the findings suggest that subordinates are more likely to attribute breach to the organization's intentional disregard for the commitments that it had made to the employee, while supervisors are more inclined to attribute breach to situations beyond the organization's direct control. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Attribution · Breach of contract · Control (management · Management · Perception · Political science · Psychological contract · Supervisor · Ethics in Business and Education · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology · Workplace Violence and Bullying