Research Article

The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research

Volume: 24 Number: 53 September 29, 2025
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The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research

Abstract

This study examines the effect of power distance on the relationship between psychological contract and work engagement. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between psychological contract and work engagement and to compare these dynamics in the cultural contexts of Türkiye and Switzerland. By focusing on how power distance shapes this relationship, it aims to provide practical insights to increase the levels of work engagement of employees in multinational environments. This comparative analysis, using Hofstede's cultural dimensions, shows how power distance affects the interaction between psychological contract and work engagement in the two countries, Türkiye and Switzerland. This study uses a cross-sectional design by collecting data through a survey from employees in both countries. Regression analysis was conducted with a total sample of 210 employees. The results suggest that transactional psychological contracts tend to reduce work engagement, and relational contracts are positively associated with engagement. However, contrary to expectations, the negative effect of transactional contracts was stronger in low power distance environments. These findings highlight the importance of considering power distance when designing engagement strategies in multinational contexts. The findings of the study also help explain employee work engagement in an organizational context and are important for both theory and practice. This article contributes to the literature on understanding work engagement through the dynamics determined by the psychological contract, taking into account the influence of power distance. This research, conducted in the cultural diversity of Türkiye and Switzerland, provides insights into how cultural dimensions affect organizational dynamics. The results highlight the importance of considering cultural factors when designing strategies that increase the level of employee engagement.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study has been prepared in accordance with research and publication ethics.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Organisation and Management Theory

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 29, 2025

Submission Date

February 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 13, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 24 Number: 53

APA
Büyükaslan, B., & İyigün, N. Ö. (2025). The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 24(53), 396-420. https://doi.org/10.46928/iticusbe.1634011
AMA
1.Büyükaslan B, İyigün NÖ. The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025;24(53):396-420. doi:10.46928/iticusbe.1634011
Chicago
Büyükaslan, Berat, and Necla Öykü İyigün. 2025. “The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research”. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 24 (53): 396-420. https://doi.org/10.46928/iticusbe.1634011.
EndNote
Büyükaslan B, İyigün NÖ (September 1, 2025) The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 24 53 396–420.
IEEE
[1]B. Büyükaslan and N. Ö. İyigün, “The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research”, İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 24, no. 53, pp. 396–420, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.46928/iticusbe.1634011.
ISNAD
Büyükaslan, Berat - İyigün, Necla Öykü. “The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research”. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 24/53 (September 1, 2025): 396-420. https://doi.org/10.46928/iticusbe.1634011.
JAMA
1.Büyükaslan B, İyigün NÖ. The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025;24:396–420.
MLA
Büyükaslan, Berat, and Necla Öykü İyigün. “The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research”. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 24, no. 53, Sept. 2025, pp. 396-20, doi:10.46928/iticusbe.1634011.
Vancouver
1.Berat Büyükaslan, Necla Öykü İyigün. The Moderating Role of Power Distance in the Effect of Psychological Contract on Work Engagement: A Comparative Research. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025 Sep. 1;24(53):396-420. doi:10.46928/iticusbe.1634011