Determinants of public service employee corruption: a conceptual model from the psychological contract perspective

Abstract

A conceptual model is presented that explores the potential role of psychological contracts (PCs) upon corrupt acts within the public sector. The propositions we offer are based upon theoretical and empirical studies within the economics and management literatures. These have significant managerial implications because we postulate that even functional work environments can help foster corruption. Corruption may result when managerial decision makers overlook the range of expectations, embedded within the PC. On the one hand, contracts stimulate functional behaviours but when violations to these employee contracts occur, it is postulated that the resultant behaviour could lead to corruption because of the need for employees to recoup what they perceived are owed to them. Such propositions need to be empirically tested because, if confirmed will widen current thinking in relation to the antecedent factors causing corruption within the public service.