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From good friends to good soldiers: A psychological contract perspective

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Abstract

Guanxi, personal connections and interactions beyond formal relations, is crucial within Chinese society. Adopting the psychological contract theory which posits the supervisor as a psychological contract maker, this study examines the mediating process between supervisor–subordinate guanxi and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) in Taiwan. Results from a sample of 485 supervisor–subordinate dyads across various industries demonstrate that supervisor–subordinate guanxi has a unique effect on psychological contract fulfillment (PCF) in subordinates beyond leader–member exchange (LMX), facilitating felt obligation (rather than OCB role identity) for more OCBs. This study suggests that supervisors may successfully manage Chinese subordinate’s PCF by means of keeping good friendship with them while expecting them to act as good soldiers in organizations.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank the APJM senior editor (Rico Lam) and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments. This research was supported by Taiwan’s National Science Council Research Fund (NSC 96-2416-H-251-001-MY3).

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  1. Department of Business Administration, National Pingtung Institute of Commerce, 51 Min-Sheng E. Road, 900, Pingtung, Taiwan

    Chih-Ting Shih

  2. Department of Business Administration, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Hsueh Fu Rd., Neipu, 912, Pingtung, Taiwan

    Cheng-Chen Timothy Lin

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Shih, CT., Lin, CC.T. From good friends to good soldiers: A psychological contract perspective. Asia Pac J Manag 31, 309–326 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-012-9333-5

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