The Nature of Relationships in e-Internships: A Matter of the Psychological Contract, Communication and Relational Investment

Abstract

Virtual internships (or e-internships) represent unique transitional and temporary learning experiences that have not been studied widely. Using 18 interviews conducted with interns and internship providers, the authors explored the extent to which psychological contracts appear to emerge and operate within this computer-mediated context. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that while e-internships are temporary and hence transitional, they are not inevitably transactional. Relational and balanced contract characteristics are not necessarily uncommon in e-internships when these feature supervisory engagement and commitment to the e-internship as well as the customized use of technology to interact, monitor, and engage with interns.

Keywords

• Virtual internship
• e-Internship
• Psychological contract
• Computer-mediated communication
• Technology