1. Managing psychological contract formation: Harnessing the power of peer-to-peer communication
Natalie Kite
27th June 2017
Anglia Learning and Teaching Conference

2. Background to study Changing student trends: Psychological contract
Widening participation
Student vs customer
Active participant vs passive consumer?
Self-perception/Organisational perception
Being a student (among many other things…)
Psychological contract
HR theory dating back to 60s, renaissance in 90s
Perception of self and the other party key
Violation of PC effect in motivation and retention

3. Higher Education PC focuses on expectation setting and fulfilment
Very relevant to HE where so much is unstated
Large proportion of students experience transitional difficulties in coming to higher education
Key questions:
Components of PC for students
Effect of PC fulfilment vs violation
Expectations
Engagement
Satisfaction
Ability to manage the PC?

4. Study Focus for practical intervention
70 LAIBS students
What formed their views of HE
Where were their expectations least met
What did they wish they had known

5. Key influencers

6. One area most different to expectations

7. LAIBS students: What are the key messages new students need to hear?:

8. Findings Areas for more research
Impact of breach/violation; direct and indirect
‘Bridging the gap’ mechanism vs removing the gap
‘Simple’ areas not meeting expectations
Trust vs Knowledge: Credibility
PC formation: Institutional and Social sources (Bordia, Bordia and Restubog, 2015).
Utilising the space between institutional and social sources through student voice
Outcome:
Unofficial student guide
Rich media
Face-to-face
Pre arrival student groups

9. References
Bordia, S., Bordia P. and Restubog, S. L. D., Promises from afar: a model of international student psychological contract in business education, Studies in Higher Education, 40(2), pp
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) (2011), Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the System, HMSO, London, available at: < education/docs/h/ higher-education-students-at-heart-of-system.pdf> [accessed 14 January 2016].
Ella R. Kahu (2013). Framing student engagement in higher education, Studies in Higher Education, 38(6), pp
Ensign, J. & Woods, A.M., (2014). Strategies for Increasing Academic Achievement in Higher Education, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 85(6), pp
Hattwig, D. & Bussert, K. & Medaille, A. & Burgess, J. (2013). Visual Literacy Standards in Higher Education: New Opportunities for Libraries and Student Learning. Libraries and the Academy 13(1), pp
Higher Education Academy (HEA) (2016), Framework for Student Engagement through Partnership, HEA, available at: < partnership.pdf> [accessed 17 March 2016]

10. References
Lee, J, 'The Relationship Between Student Engagement and Academic Performance: Is It a Myth or Reality?', Journal Of Educational Research, 107(6), pp , Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Available through: Anglia Ruskin University Library website < [Accessed 8 June 2015].
Millican, J Higher Education and student engagement: implications for a new economic era. Education & Training, 56(7), pp
Ramsden, P. (2011)." When I grow up, I want to be spoon-fed ", Times higher education [online], 11 August 2011, available at: < [accessed 9 November 2015].
Robinson, C., Student engagement: What does this mean in practice in the context of higher education institutions? Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 4, pp
Robinson, S. L. and Wolfe Morrison, E. (2000). The development of psychological contract breach and violation: a longitudinal study, Journal of Organizational Behaviour, 21(5), pp. 525–546.
Rousseau, D.M Psychological contracts in organizations: Understanding written and unwritten agreements. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Rayton, B.A., Yalabik, Z. Y., (2014). Work engagement, psychological contract breach and job satisfaction, The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(17) pp