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Psychological Contract Breach and Union Commitment Revisited: Evidence from Chinese Employees

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  • Ji-Young Ahn

    (Ewha School of Business, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea)

  • Xia Lei

    (Ewha School of Business, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea)

  • Joohee Han

    (Department of Business Administration, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Korea)

Abstract

From the social exchange theory, this study examines the relationship between psychological contract breach, organizational cynicism, and union commitment, as well as the interaction effect of perceived union dual identity on the relationship between organizational cynicism and union commitment. We argue that contract breach has a positive impact on union commitment, and this relationship is mediated by organizational cynicism. Moreover, we suggest that the perceived union dual identity moderates the relationship between the two. To examine this, we sampled 371 employees of Chinese non-state-owned firms in 2019. The results show that, in the Chinese context, the psychological contract breach has a positive impact on organizational cynicism and union commitment. This relationship is weaker when the perceived union identity (state-oriented) is higher; it is stronger when the perceived union identity (labor-oriented) is higher.

Suggested Citation

  • Ji-Young Ahn & Xia Lei & Joohee Han, 2021. "Psychological Contract Breach and Union Commitment Revisited: Evidence from Chinese Employees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:12034-:d:669295
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jack Fiorito, 2001. "Human Resource Management Practices and Worker Desires for Union Representation," Journal of Labor Research, Transaction Publishers, vol. 22(2), pages 335-354, April.
    2. Anil Verma & Thomas A. Kochan, 2004. "Unions in the 21st Century: Prospects for Renewal," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Anil Verma & Thomas A. Kochan (ed.), Unions in the 21st Century, chapter 1, pages 1-16, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Edward Lorenz, 1988. "Neither Friends nor Strangers," Post-Print halshs-00483728, HAL.
    4. Simon Lloyd D. Restubog & Matthew J. Hornsey & Prashant Bordia & Sarah R. Esposo, 2008. "Effects of Psychological Contract Breach on Organizational Citizenship Behaviour: Insights from the Group Value Model," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(8), pages 1377-1400, December.
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