Promises from afar: Nature of international student psychological contracts in management education

Abstract

This research addresses international students' perceived institutional obligations in management education. Perceptions of obligations arise from explicit/implicit promises made by universities during the recruiting stage. We apply the psychological contract theory - widely used in organizational behavior to understand the employee-employer relationship - to inform the international student-university relationship. Results indicated that students developed perceptions of institutional obligation from their interaction with agents and university representatives, institutional websites, current students and alumni. Institutions are obligated to provide quality education, adequate support services and career counseling. Fulfillment of perceived obligations led to satisfaction and breach resulted in frustration and disappointment with the institution.