Theoretical Basis of Psychological Contracts

This chapter aims at exploring the theoretical underpinning of the psychological contract model and identifying the implications of different theories for psychological contract research. Two theoretical approaches are presented to achieve this aim: (1) social exchange theory as the sociological basis of the psychological contract model, (2) mental models as the psychological basis of the psychological contract model. A second aim of this chapter is to argue the relevance of the psychological contract model to organisations from a theoretical perspective. In order to achieve the second aim the resource-based view of the firm is considered.