Abstract
Using survey data from 386 university students in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, this study examines how students’ sociodemographic characteristics are associated with the pluralist frame about the employment relationship. Pluralism is defined as the belief that employment relationships involve conflicts of interest that should be balanced through institutions such as labor law and trade unions. The findings show that students’ economic, social, and cultural capital have no substantial effects on their pluralist frame of reference. However, students’ social background plays a role in shaping pluralism when mediated by psychological capital. In addition, the data reveal differences in pluralism between management and psychology students and between genders, with female psychology students being most likely to support pluralism. The study opens pathways for university interventions aimed at fostering pluralism.