Maria Tomprou

Experiencing organizational change in Greece: the framework of psychological contract

We examine antecedents and outcomes of psychological contract violation in parallel with perceptions of psychological contract fulfilment in the Greek banking sector. We demonstrated that violation mediated the relation between breach and attitudinal outcomes. Trust in the employer partially mediated the relationship of breach and violation with employee attitudes. Finally, careerism moderated the relationship of perceived breach and organizational commitment. Our results are discussed in light of the major organizational changes occurring in the financial sector, and the consequences of these changes on employees’ attitudes and psychological contract breach and violation, along with research and practical implications.

Deep Structures of Collaboration: Physiological Correlates of Collective Intelligence and Group Satisfaction

Collective intelligence (CI), a groups capacity to perform a wide variety of tasks, is a key factor in successful collaboration. Group composition, particularly diversity and member social perceptiveness, are consistent predictors of CI, but we have limited knowledge about the mechanisms underlying their effects. To address this gap, we examine how physiological synchrony, as an indicator of coordination and rapport, relates to CI in computer-mediated teams, and if synchrony might serve as a mechanism explaining the effect of group composition on CI. We present results from a laboratory experiment where 60 dyads completed the Test of Collective Intelligence (TCI) together online and rated their group satisfaction, while wearing physiological sensors. We find that synchrony in facial expressions (indicative of shared experience) was associated with CI and synchrony in electrodermal activity (indicative of shared arousal) with group satisfaction. Furthermore, various forms of synchrony mediated the effect of member diversity and social perceptiveness on CI and group satisfaction. Our results have important implications for online collaborations and distributed teams.

Exploring the role of social influence in promise beliefs and information acquisition among newcomers

This study investigates the role of social influence in newcomer promise beliefs and promise-related information by co-workers. During their first month on the job, 85 new recruits completed both a one-shot questionnaire and a diary booklet for 10 consecutive workdays. We examined two information sources: contract makers (e.g., managers) and facilitators (e.g., senior colleagues). Two information-gathering processes that newcomers use were also assessed: direct communications and monitoring. Newcomers reciprocation ideologies (creditor ideology and reciprocation wariness) were also assessed. Participants reported daily the promises received along with their sources and the information-gathering processes involved. A total of 601 promissory interactions were assessed. Analysis using multilevel random coefficient modelling demonstrated the importance of line managers and direct communication in promise beliefs. Both reciprocation ideologies related negatively to employer promises. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

The Role of Job Seekers' Individual Characteristics on Job Seeking Behavior and Psychological Well‐Being

The job search process is considered a complex and intensive procedure requiring investment in time and effort on behalf of job seekers. Our study attempts to explore further the effects of a number of individual characteristics on job search behavior, effort, job search outcomes, as well as, on psychological well‐being. We examined these relationships using a daily diary methodology with the participation of 79 recent university graduates–job seekers in Greece at the beginning of the recent financial crisis. Our results did not support the importance of these individual characteristics on job search behavior, effort, and job search outcomes, but it supported their role of daily psychological well‐being, especially their self‐esteem. We discuss implications for job seekers to cultivate these skills that are related to these individual characteristics helpful in maintaining a positive psychological state during the job search period.