Psychological Contract: Investigating EmployeesExpectations and Obligations of Public SectorEnterprises in Sindh

Psychological contract (PC) is viewed as an individual-levelphenomenon that is influenced by individual difference variables (Ho,2000). The subjective nature of PC has received a major attention inmanagement literature (Robinson, 1995; Robinson and Morrison,2000; Turnley and Feldman, 2000). However, a careful review of theliterature suggests major focus of the research remained in developedcountries thereby ignoring the implications for developing nationsincluding Pakistan. In order to fill this research gap, this study seeksto examine psychological contract in public sector enterprises inPakistan. Moreover, cultural, ethnic, religious diversity in Pakistanisociety are central to inform managerial practices, interrelationshipbetween employee and employer and also trade union activism. As aresult this study might contribute significant findings for fine-tuningthe previous understanding on PC. This study employed focus groupdiscussion to collect empirical evidence from ‘key informants’ fromtop-level management to union activists to address the researchquestions. Findings of this study reveal cultural diversity and sociopoliticalinstability impact individual differences at work which alsoresonate in managerial practices, interpersonal relations virtuallyinforming the expectations and obligations e.g. PC of employees atwork. In last section, implications for future research, managers,government, employees, trade union activists and other stakeholdersare discussed.