From ‘opportunity’ to ‘insecurity’: the psychological contract of highly skilled immigrants in Western Australia

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework and provide empirical support from a study that has explored the lived employment experience of highly skilled immigrants (HSIs) in Western Australia (WA), and how this experience influences their decision to remain or leave the WA labour market. To provide this analysis, we ask how the wider context has affected the psychological contract (PC) of HSIs. A qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) case-study design that draws on three phases of semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants (n = 26) that was conducted between 2010 and 2014 informs the discussion. We contribute to the employment relations and PC literature by highlighting the influence of context in understanding the PC; and to labour migration literature by providing an understanding of HSIs’ work experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Commitment
• labour migration
• psychological contract
• skilled immigrants
• western Australia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Western Australia.

Notes on contributors

Renata Casado

Renata Casado has a master degree in Organisational Studies from the COPPEAD Graduate School of Business and is currently in final stages of her PhD Candidature at the University of Western Australia Business School. She has worked as a lecturer in a number of universities in Brazil, and has worked as a consultant and advisor for small business and not-for-profit organisations in Australia. Renata is particularly interested in labour migration and multicultural issues, and has presented work on these topics at both Australian and international academic conferences.

Donella Caspersz

Donella Caspersz is an academic at the University of Western Australia Business School. Her research combines employment relations with management and focusses on prosocial behaviour. Donella has published in relevant journals including Journal of Industrial Relations, and Journal of Family Business Review. Donella is a member of the Australian Sociological Association, and International Family Enterprise Research Academy. Donella serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Family Business Review and Journal of Small Business Management.