Test and Extension of Multiple Foci/Multiple Components of Workplace Commitment

Abstract

Employees who are committed to their organization confer a distinct advantage to that organization. The bases upon which employees in different occupations may become committed to their organization, and the focus of that commitment may differ, however. This research examined different occupations (physicians, staff, nurses) in a hospital in southern India to compare the strength of different components of organizational commitment (affective, continuance, normative) as well as the focus of commitment (organization, supervisor, co-worker). As hypothesized, different categories of occupations resulted in different levels of commitment as well as differential patterns of commitment to different foci. Nurses reported the highest level of overall commitment. The framework of psychological contracts is used to interpret these findings, with different needs and expectancies of each category of employee causing different psychological contract expectations. Managerial implications are discussed.