Graduate trainees’ perceptions of their psychological contract: A case study

Orientation: In response to South Africa’s historical context and persistent social and economic challenges, many organisations recognise the importance of graduate programmes as instruments for cultivating technical and behavioural competencies to facilitate business development and sustainability. We assert that the psychological contract (PC) should be highlighted as a crucial foundation for promoting workplace success for both graduates and employers. Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to understand the pre-entry expectations (anticipatory psychological contracts) of graduate trainees regarding employer-employee obligations, and to evaluate the extent to which these expectations influenced their experiences of the PC during the initial year of a graduate development programme (GDP) in a South African consumer goods organisation. Motivation for the study: Despite recent interest in PC research, few empirical studies have investigated the pre-entry (anticipatory) PC among graduate trainees. Therefore, this research is salient in its potential to offer insights into the experiences of graduate trainees who intend to optimise GDP outcomes. Research approach/design and method: The study adopted a qualitative case study approach rooted within an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) paradigm. Main findings: The graduate trainees held rudimentary anticipatory PCs shaped by social and professional norms before entering a GDP. Practical/managerial implications: The findings contribute towards best practices in effectively positioning and managing GDPs and the subsequent employment relationship between graduate trainees and employers. Contribution/value-add: This research provides a critical basis for establishing fit-for-purpose pathways for graduate trainee skills development and meaningful return on investment for organisations.