Unveiling the origins of psychological contract perceptions: a systematic review of 30 years of psychological contract antecedents research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to better understand psychological contract antecedents by reviewing the literature from the last 30 years. This synthesis of the literature on psychological contract antecedents helps to identify common trends, gaps in the current literature and areas for future research. By providing a more integrated understanding of the factors that influence the formation of the psychological contract, our review contributes to further development of the theoretical foundations of the psychological contract concept. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a systematic literature review of the antecedents that shape the formation of the psychological contract. The review included 217 psychological contract articles that had been published in the last 30 years. Findings An overview is provided of research on psychological contract antecedents during the last 30 years, categorized as individual, organizational, societal and policies and practices antecedents. The review elucidated that leadership, HR practices and personality are the three most studied types of psychological contract antecedents in this period. A model is developed to capture the possible ways psychological contracts are shaped through various factors. Originality/value By providing this systematic overview, our study contributes to a better understanding of what has and what has not been researched to date regarding psychological contract antecedents, providing insights into how future research can focus on better understanding the processes that shape psychological contracts.