Get What You Give? Investigating Employer and Young Professionals’ Psychological Contracts in European SMEs

This paper looks at psychological contracts in small and medium-sized enterprises, an underrepresented topic in the psychological contract literature. Adopting a multi-perspective approach, we explore what employers and young professionals expect regarding their employment obligations. The results o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Economic and business review for Central and South-Eastern Europe 2021-08, Vol.23 (2)
Main Authors: Katarina Mihelič, Mark Bailey, Julie Brueckner, Agnieszka Postuła, Nada Zupan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
employer
expectations
obligations
psychological contract
qualitative analysis
smes
young professionals
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This paper looks at psychological contracts in small and medium-sized enterprises, an underrepresented topic in the psychological contract literature. Adopting a multi-perspective approach, we explore what employers and young professionals expect regarding their employment obligations. The results of a qualitative research design and interviews conducted in four European countries reveal the importance of competence and performance-enhancing behaviours on one side and support for performance and development, good working conditions, autonomy, flexibility, work–life balance, and relationships on the other. Moreover, we identify what is offered and expected by both members of the dyad and shed light on the changing dynamics of today’s psychological contracts. Our findings hold implications for both employers wishing to retain their best young professionals and individuals interested in understanding what small and medium-sized enterprises are offering prospective candidates.
ISSN:1580-0466
2335-4216
DOI:10.15458/2335-4216.1008