Perceived Psychological Contract Breach and Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Mediated Role of Revenge Among Academics

Michael Tonneey Kwaku Todoko; Crispen Chipunza; Lineo Dzansi; Samson Adewumi

doi:10.2478/mdke-2026-0011

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Perceived Psychological Contract Breach and Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Mediated Role of Revenge Among Academics

Management Dynamics in the Knowledge Economy

Volume 14 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)

By: Michael Tonneey Kwaku Todoko , Crispen Chipunza , Lineo Dzansi and Samson Adewumi

Open Access

|Jun 2026

Abstract

The relationship between psychological contract breach (PCB) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) is a significant construct in organizational psychology and Human Resource Management. However, evidence on this relationship in the context of the higher education sector is missing in the available literature. The mediating role of revenge in the relationship between perceived PCB and CWBs has remained unexamined. Through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), this study seeks to bridge this gap by investigating the mediating role of revenge in the relationship between perceived PCB and CWBs among academics in higher institutions of learning. A structured self-reported questionnaire with closed-ended questions and a survey sampling technique was used to collect data from 716 academics in selected Technical Universities in Ghana. The results established a positive and significant relationship between PCB and revenge. PCB and revenge feeling had a positive significant effect on both individually and organizationally focused counterproductive work behaviors (CWB-I and CWB O). Revenge partially mediates the relationship between PCB and CWB-I and CWB-O. Consistently, the effect of revenge feeling and PCB on CWB-I is greater than on CWB-O. Based on the findings, practical implications towards promoting a harmonious and productive work environment are discussed.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mdke-2026-0011 | Journal eISSN: 2392-8042

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Language: English

Page range: 176 - 193

Submitted on: Jan 11, 2026

Accepted on: Mar 9, 2026

Published on: Jun 29, 2026

Published by: Scoala Nationala de Studii Politice si Administrative

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

psychological contract breach,

counterproductive work behavior,

revenge,

academics,

higher institutions of learning

Related subjects:

Business and economics,

Political economics,

Macroeconomics,

Business management,

Business management, other,

Social sciences,

Sociology,

Labor, trade unions,

Sociology of economy, organizations, and industry

© 2026 Michael Tonneey Kwaku Todoko, Crispen Chipunza, Lineo Dzansi, Samson Adewumi, published by Scoala Nationala de Studii Politice si Administrative
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 14 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)