Organizational Commitment: The Case Of Unrewarded Behavior

The conventional view of organizational commitment (OC) as a favorable conduct that rewards employees for their labor is challenged in this book. The author redefines OC as distinctive, unrewarded behavior of a small number of employees who remain with their organizations despite having alternatives in the labor market. This new definition addresses theoretical and empirical shortcomings of the current concept and returns to a commitment notion that is more commonly used in social sciences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 08 May 2019
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd

Organizational commitment (OC) is a widely recognized and beneficial behavior in mainstream research, where employers reward employees for their labor. However, in recent decades, there have been indications that the benefits of OC cannot be assumed. The world of work is undergoing significant transformations, characterized by downsizing, outsourcing, and restructuring efforts, leading to the creation of leaner organizations. Additionally, a trend has emerged where organizations are deliberately avoiding long-term commitment to their workforce, opting for atypical and non-standard jobs such as part-time work, temporary or agency employment, and other forms of insecure employment. This new employment regime serves as an escape from organizational commitment and a tendency to avoid long-term relationships.

In this book, the author challenges the prevailing mainstream research on OC. By examining the rise and fall of the concept of OC among corporate managers and employees in an era characterized by a desire to evade responsibility and commitment, the author redefines OC as a unique and unrewarded behavior exhibited by a minority of employees when their employing organization faces difficulties. These employees, who possess alternatives in the labor market, remain unrewarded by their organizations despite their ability to seek out more secure and fulfilling workplaces.

The author presents this new definition of OC, addressing theoretical and empirical flaws in the current concept while returning to a broader understanding of commitment in social sciences. Commitment, as defined by the author, is not motivated or pleasant but is necessary to fulfill obligations that are vital for the functioning of organizations and society.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789813232150