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The Influence of Psychological Contract Breach on Temporary Workers’ Commitment and Behaviors: A Multiple Agency Perspective

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of psychological contract breach on the commitment and behaviors of temporary workers engaged in a multiple agency relationship. Specifically, it aimed to measure the influence of contract breach by the employing agency and the client organization on temporary workers’ trust and affective commitment to the respective party, and on their adoption of discretionary behaviors at the client site.

Design/Methodology/Approach

The study was performed using a sample of agency workers from the banking sector, which was composed of 186 worker–supervisor dyads.

Findings

The results suggested that contract breach by the agency and the client was negatively related to temporary worker’s affective commitment toward the respective party. This relation was mediated by workers’ trust in each organization. The results also indicated that only commitment toward the client organization influenced the adoption of discretionary behaviors.

Implications

Understanding of the potential influence of the multiple psychological contracts of temporary workers helps to fully understand the reactions of these workers. As organizations rely heavily on these workers, this study shows how both the client and the agency can foster conditions conducive to the adoption of discretionary behaviors at the client site.

Originality/Value

This is the first study to provide evidence of the effects of psychological contract breach by each organization that temporary workers associate with on their attitudes and behaviors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Organization and Human Resources, University of Quebec at Montreal, Succursale Centre-ville, C.P. 8888, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada

    Marie-Ève Lapalme & Gilles Simard

  2. Department of Human Resource Management, HEC Montreal, 3000 ch. de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 2A7, Canada

    Michel Tremblay

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  1. Marie-Ève Lapalme
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  2. Gilles Simard
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  3. Michel Tremblay
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Correspondence to Marie-Ève Lapalme.

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Lapalme, MÈ., Simard, G. & Tremblay, M. The Influence of Psychological Contract Breach on Temporary Workers’ Commitment and Behaviors: A Multiple Agency Perspective. J Bus Psychol 26, 311–324 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-010-9190-5

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