The Relationship between the Fulfillment of the IT Professional’s Psychological Contract and their Organizational Citizenship and Innovative Work Behaviors

Abstract

Little is known about the relationship between of the level of fulfillment of the IT professional’s psychological contract and their innovative work and organizational citizenship behaviors. Using psychological contract and social information processing theories, this study proposes to answer the research question: What is the relationship between the level of fulfillment of the IT professionals’ psychological contract and their organizational citizenship and innovative work behaviors? Survey data were collected from 209 IT professionals using group-administered paper and on-line surveys. Results show positive relationships with the level of fulfillment of the IT professional’s psychological contract and their innovative work behavior, as well as four of their organizational citizenship behaviors, specifically loyalty, advocacy participation, obedience, and functional participation. Extending the body of knowledge, the dimensional approach of the psychological contract was used resulting in the scope, focus, and tangibility dimensions being the most significant predictors of the organizational behaviors.