A quantitative study to ascertain if there is a difference in the level of psychological safety experienced by temporary employees in comparison to that of permanent employees

Boyle, Sinead (2021) A quantitative study to ascertain if there is a difference in the level of psychological safety experienced by temporary employees in comparison to that of permanent employees. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Purpose - This research seeks to examine if there are varying levels of psychological safety experienced between temporary employees and permanent employees. Employee engagement and employee voice are also investigated in the same manner as a result of the review of the literature which indicated a relationship between psychological safety and these two constructs. It is proposed here that there is much research on these constructs but only a very small amount of research has investigated temporary employment in this regard. Temporary employment is now a consistent feature of the modern workplace along with employee input and collaboration being recognised as a vital component of an organization’s competitive advantage. The research indicates that temporary employees can face challenges unique to their employment status. Arguably, these challenges are not compatible with features of psychological safety, employee engagement and employee voice such as expression of suggestions and concerns. Therefore this research explores the prospect that temporary employees are at risk of being less inclined to express these behaviours in contrast to permanent employees.

Methodology - This study adapted the epistemological philosophy of positivism. A deductive approach was used to test the theory relating to temporary employment which emerged as a result of a review of the literature. The results were acquired with the use of a quantitative questionnaire.

Findings - The results of this particular work indicate that there was no difference in levels of psychological safety between temporary and permanent employees. Temporary employees reported lower levels of employee engagement and employee voice than permanent employees.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management > Employee Engagement H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > Industrial Psychology > The Psychological Contract
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Science in Management
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2022 15:56
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2022 15:56
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5421

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