Organizational commitment and the well-being of temporary agency workers: A longitudinal study

Galais N, Moser K (2009)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Journal

Publisher: SAGE Publications (UK and US) / Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 62

Pages Range: 589–620

URI: http://hum.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/4/589

DOI: 10.1177/0018726708101991

Abstract

Previous research found that organizational commitment is positively related to employee well-being. However, in the current age of contingent work, transitions, and `protean careers', the advisability of commitment is questionable. Therefore, we analyzed the role of organizational commitment in one paradigmatic area of contingent work arrangements: temporary agency work. In contrast to standard workers, temporary agency workers have to deal with two organizations: the temporary agency and client organization. Results revealed an ambivalent role of organizational commitment for temporary workers. Cross-sectional commitment towards the client organization had positive effects on workers' well-being, whereas commitment towards the agency had no effects. However, longitudinal analyses revealed that commitment to the client was detrimental to workers' well-being when they experienced reassignment to another client. In sum, we found beneficial and dysfunctional effects of organizational commitment on well-being, which suggest the reconsideration of the role of organizational commitment for individuals in unstable work arrangements.

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How to cite

APA:

Galais, N., & Moser, K. (2009). Organizational commitment and the well-being of temporary agency workers: A longitudinal study. Human Relations, 62, 589–620. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0018726708101991

MLA:

Galais, Nathalie, and Klaus Moser. "Organizational commitment and the well-being of temporary agency workers: A longitudinal study." Human Relations 62 (2009): 589–620.

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