Understanding relationships in the psychological contracts of Indonesian academics

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of exploratory research which analysed employment relationships using the lens of psychological contracts to understand the meaning Indonesian academics placed on relationships in their employment. Qualitative research in form of in-depth interviews was utilised in six universities in Indonesia. Findings indicate Indonesian academics perceive their relationship with their superior as partnership, friendship, rule bound and synergy. Where partnership was interpreted as friendship it resulted in Indonesian academics being willing to work beyond formal job descriptions. For rule bound relationships academics worked to the rule of ‘Tugas Pokok dan Fungsi’ (TUPOKSI), whilst for synergy relationships a need to support each other and work together in accordance with Indonesian Government Education Regulations was expressed.