The Relationship Between Workplace E-Mail Privacy and Psychological Contract Violation, and Their Influence on Trust in Top Management and Affective Commitment

Abstract

This study used communication privacy management and psychological contract (PC) theory to see if employee concerns about e-mail privacy would influence their feelings of PC violation and trust in top management. In addition, this study examined the impact of perceived PC violations on employees' feelings of trust in top management and affective organizational commitment. A total of 251 participants filled out a Web questionnaire. Results were consistent with the theoretical perspective, as feelings of e-mail privacy were linked to perceived PC violations and trust in top management. These perceptions, in turn, were related to employees' feelings of affective commitment.

Keywords:

• Affective Commitment
• Communication Privacy
• Electronic Mail
• Psychological Contracts
• Trust

Acknowledgments

An earlier version of this manuscript was presented on the Top Three Competitive Papers in Organizational Communication panel at the 2010 meeting of the Eastern Communication Association in Baltimore, MD.

Notes

Note. (R) indicates reverse-scored item.

Note. Commitment = affective commitment; Trust = trust in top management; COI = Concerns about Organizational Infringement (i.e., e-mail privacy); PCV = psychological contract violation.

*p < .01 (two-tailed).

Note. R ² = .35. COI = Concerns about Organizational Infringement (i.e., e-mail privacy); PCV = psychological contract violation.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. R ² = .33. PCV = psychological contract violation; Trust = trust in top management.

*p < .01.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jason L. Snyder

Jason L. Snyder (PhD, University of Connecticut, 2007) is Assistant Professor in the Management Information Systems Department at Central Connecticut State University.

Mark D. Cistulli

Mark D. Cistulli (PhD, University of Connecticut, 2007) is Assistant Professor in the School of Communication at the University of Hartford.