Psychological contracts in the supply chain management: a systematic literature review

Psychological contracts (PCs) - the unwritten expectations and obligations that operate alongside formal agreements - play a critical yet underexplored role in supply chain management (SCM). Despite their significance as informal governance mechanisms that influence trust, collaboration, and performance across supply chain (SC) partners, research remains fragmented and theoretically underdeveloped. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) encompassing 49 empirical articles underpinned by social exchange and psychological contract (PC) theories, synthesizing how PCs emerge, evolve, and influence SC relationships and firm performance. The review synthesizes key PC processes, including formation, fulfilment, breach, violation, and repair, and maps their antecedents and consequences within SC relationships. Findings reveal that PC processes are shaped by multiple organizational, relational, and contextual factors. While breaches and violations undermine trust, collaboration, and performance, fulfilment and effective repair strengthen long-term SC relationships. By integrating these insights, the paper proposes an overarching process-oriented conceptual framework that highlights the pivotal role of PCs as informal governance mechanisms in SC interactions. By consolidating fragmented evidence and identifying clear theoretical and practical implications, this study offers actionable guidance for managers to recognize, monitor, and manage PCs to mitigate relational risks and enhance SC outcomes, while providing clear directions for future research to advance SCM theory. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026.