La formation et la violation du contrat psychologique : quels processus cognitifs ?

This study aims at extending previous literature on psychological contracts by examining the cognitive process underlying the formation and violation of reciprocal obligations. Based on 42 semi-directive interviews, this qualitative semi-grounded theory approach provides three major contributions. First, our results show that the socio-cognitive process underlying the formation of the psychological contract by the employee (Rousseau, 1995) can take different forms depending on the nature of perceived organizational commitments. We refer to the adaptation process driven (1) by organizational communications (2) by preexisting beliefs or (3) by a combination of both. Second, our data allows us to identify different types of emotion associated to violation, along with the forms of evaluations associated with the process of formation. Finally, our model accounts for the different steps through which different emotions lead to distinct attitudinal and behavioral reactions. This contingent and idiosyncratic process draws on two factors : a tendency to action and a post-tendency evaluation. Based on this knowledge, we provide managers with a series of tools allowing them to proactively manage the violation state experienced by their subordinates. We recommend giving more attention to the process of formation of the psychological contract and to the dimensions involved in the post-breech evaluations.