Psychological contracts in oil marketing retail outlets: A case study in the Ga West municipality of the Greater Accrs region of Ghana

Abstract

The study examines the psychological contracts in oil marketing retail outlets in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which employees’ and employers’ expectations in psychological contract were fulfilled in the Oil Marketing Retail outlets. Data for the study was obtained through questionnaire survey from a sample of 15 managers and 109 employees from 15 Oil Marketing Retail Outlets in the Ga West Municipality. The study revealed that the majority of the employees, except from two oil marketing outlets, were of the view that their expectation of the psychological contract was not being fulfilled. It was observed, however, that the expectations of the employers were being fulfilled. It was found that there was no significant difference in the expectations of male and female employees and that the sources of expectations from employees were mainly from friends. It was concluded that even though employees’ expectations were not fulfilled but employers’ expectations were fulfilled, job turnover was low. It was recommended that the psychological contract process needed to start at the time of employment where expectations are clearly stated and agreed upon. It was also recommended that employers do not ‘over-sell’ the advertised job so as not to set up unrealistic expectations and lower commitment.