oa Een wankel evenwicht - Deviant werknemersgedrag en het psychologische contract

In this study we investigate whether type and frequency of breach of the psychological contract by supervisors explain deviant workplace behavior. Type of breach refers to the reason why the supervisor did not fulfill the contract, which may be inadvertent, a matter of disruption, or reneging. Frequency means that the breach of the psychological contract can take place once or repeatedly. The impact of type and frequency on deviant workplace behavior, coming late for work, is investigated using a vignette study among 155 respondents. This study generates the following results.

First, employees show more deviant behavior when their psychological contract is breached. Second, reneging leads to stronger responses in terms of deviant behavior than the other two types. Third, repeated failure to fulfill the psychological contract leads to more deviant behavior of employees. The overall conclusion of the study is that the way in which supervisors breach the psychological contract provides an explanation of employee deviance.