Exploring frontline employee-customer linkages: a psychological contract perspective

Abstract

Although the concept of psychological contract provides a valuable tool to explore frontline employees and customer relationships, this has received little research attention. To address this gap, we develop an integrated model anchored on social exchange theory and a set of research propositions which link together Human Resource Management (HRM) practices delivered by line managers, frontline employee psychological contract, frontline employee customer-oriented behaviors, and customer psychological contract fulfillment, eventually predicting customer outcomes. We also stress the moderating role of service climate and organizational identification, as well as the control effects played by frequency of interactions, nature of product/service, and frequency of purchase of the product/service. Our analysis offers useful theoretical and managerial implications, as well as directions for further research.