Job insecurity, union support and intentions to resign membership : a psychological contract perspective
De Witte, Hans ; Sverke, Magnus ; van Ruysseveldt, Joris ; Goslinga, Sjoerd ; Chirumbolo, Antonio ; Hellgren, Johnny ; Näswall, Katharina
European Journal of Industrial Relations
2008
14
1
March
85-103
employment security ; psychological aspect ; trade union membership
Belgium ; Italy ; Netherlands
Employment
English
Bibliogr.
"This article uses psychological contract theory to explore the consequences of job insecurity among union members. We hypothesize that the perception of job insecurity will correlate with a lower level of perceived union support and a higher intention to resign union membership. We also test whether the relationship between job insecurity and membership turnover is mediated by (a lack of) perceived union support. In Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands, an association is found between job insecurity and a reduction in perceived union support, and between job insecurity and the intention to resign membership; this association is also fully mediated by (a lack of) perceived union support. None of these hypotheses are corroborated in Sweden. We discuss implications of these findings for future research and for unions in Europe."
Paper
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