Abstract

The main objective of this research was to suggest that psychological contract framework could be useful in studying the relationship h n union and its members. Through the pilot study using semi structured interviews, in which 20 union leaders and 44 union members participated, the contents of psychological contract in trade union setting were identified. Union`s obligations were categorized as three large groups of obligations. `Instrumental obligation`; obligations of the union to obtain desirable outputs from the company; `managerial obligation`; obligations to manage union well; `ideological obligation`; obligations which are external and related with the identity of the union. Union members` obligations were also categorized as three large groups: `participatory obligation`, `relational obligation` and `ideological obligation`. The purpose of study 1-1 was to confirm the findings of the pilot study using quantitative data. From the result of pilot study Psychological Contract Measurement was developed. 277 union members and 33 union leaden participated in study 1-1. By using exploratory factor analysis, the factor structure found in pilot study was confirmed. In study 1-2, based on the individual difference in evaluating the importance of the three union obligations, participants were divided into 8 groups and the level of union participation among 8 groups were compared. In result, significant three way interaction effect and the main effect of union`s ideological obligation were found. Finally, the theoretical and practical implication of this research were discussed and several direction for future research were also suggested.