Effect of Organizational Process and Demographic Variables on Psychological Contract Fulfillment and Turnover Intentions of Doctors in Private and Public Healthcare Organizations

Purpose:The study examined differences in the psychological contract fulfillment and turnover intentions of doctors in private and public hospitals as a function of perceived levels of workplace process factors and demographic characteristics of doctors. It was expected that the relationship between both these factors were more likely to be positive with psychological contract fulfillment and more likely to be negative with turnover intentions of doctors in the private hospitals as compared to the public hospital.

Sample and Method : The study was conducted on a sample of 131 doctors from a large public hospital (N=67) and a large private hospital (N=64) in north India using questionnaire method.

Finding: Correlation and stepwise regression analysis of the data revealed that amongst the workplace factors, 'role efficacy' of doctors expectedly emerged as a positive predictor of psychological contract fulfillment in private hospitals while unexpectedly, role efficacy, perceived organizational support, participation, positively predicted turnover intentions in both the hospital. Among the demographic variables, duration of participants, promotion, age, positively predicted turnover intentions in both the hospitals.

Implication and Value: The study has important implications for Indian hospitals in the private and public.sector which are currently facing problems of workforce retention due to staff perceptions of inadequacy of their workplace environments and job conditions. Data also showed that retention strategies of west are not always applicable and suitable in Indian context.