Title: Anticipatory psychological contracts of young labour market entrants: a multi-country study with a Confucian work ethic 'twist'

Authors: Nada Zupan; Robert Kaše; Matej Černe; Matevž Rašković

Addresses: School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia ' School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia ' School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia ' Wellington School of Business and Government, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract: We explore institutional and cultural effects on anticipatory psychological contracts (APCs) of young labour market entrants in four countries: China and South Korea (Confucian East Asia) and Poland and Slovenia (Central and Eastern Europe). We identify prevailing APC types and compare country APC scores, applying the concept of a Confucian work ethic. Using matched country samples of 953 undergraduate business students as future labour market entrants, our results challenge the hypothesised prevalence of the transactional APC type within this generational cohort. Overall, the balanced APC type was most desirable for employee obligations, while the relational APC type was most desirable for employer obligations. Expectations regarding personal development (balanced APC) were universally high. However, a Confucian work ethic can be linked to higher performance orientation (balanced APC) in terms of employee obligation and higher loyalty (relational APC) in terms of employer obligation in China and South Korea. We discuss implications for attracting, managing and retaining young talents.

Keywords: anticipatory psychological contract; Confucian work ethic; Confucian East Asia; Central and Eastern Europe; young labour market entrants.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2022.120714

European Journal of International Management, 2022 Vol.17 No.2/3, pp.371 - 393

Received: 09 Mar 2019
Accepted: 05 Mar 2020
Published online: 04 Feb 2022 *

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