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Strengthening the Psychological Contract Through Talent-Enabled Assessment Journeys: An Employee-Experience Guide

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Redefining the Psychological Contract in the Digital Era

Abstract

Talent assessment continues to evolve at a rapid pace. A demanding and dynamic business environment and the advent of exponential technologies places renewed importance on conducting talent assessment protocols in a manner that strengthens the psychological contract between employers and employees. This chapter provides a framework for conducting contemporary talent assessments in an inclusive, ethical and responsible manner. It focuses on the candidate experience as a key part of the talent assessment process and incorporates the learning of modern Talent Management principles in delivering impactful assessment journeys. The chapter has three broad focus areas: Firstly, it evaluates the expansion of modern talent assessment and the effect this has on the experience of psychological contract. Secondly, it provides a framework for conducting talent assessment in a manner that supports and expands the psychological contract. Thirdly, the role of technology in scaling talent assessment is evaluated, considering specifically potential risks and opportunities for the psychological contract in digitally enabled assessment approaches. Practical recommendations are provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Occupational Psychologist, Qatar Airways, Doha, Qatar

    Marais S. Bester

  2. Department of Industrial Psychology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

    Ederick Stander

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  1. Marais S. Bester
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

    Melinde Coetzee

  2. Department of Human Resource Management, University of South Africa, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

    Alda Deas

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Bester, M.S., Stander, E. (2021). Strengthening the Psychological Contract Through Talent-Enabled Assessment Journeys: An Employee-Experience Guide. In: Coetzee, M., Deas, A. (eds) Redefining the Psychological Contract in the Digital Era. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63864-1_10

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