The Mediating Role of Affective Organisational Commitment for Employees' Health between Stress, Satisfactory Payment and Optimism

Abstract

Research Question (RQ): What is the role of organisational commitment in health, especially in the context of other work-related psychosocial factors (optimism, empowerment, stressful working conditions, job insecurity, and satisfactory payment). Purpose: The aim of the paper is to examine the role of organisational commitment in employee's health. Method: An ISSP survey on a subsample of 589 workers in Slovenia was statistically analysed, using 1) a bivariate Pearson correlation test; 2) a hierarchical multivariate linear regression to compare two models, where to see the role of organisational commitment, health was predicted by work-related psychosocial factors in a model with and in a model without organisational commitment, and 3) structural equation modelling to understand interrelations amongst analysed concepts. Results The results shows all analysed factors contribute to health, but not all directly. Health was found to be directly related to stressful working conditions, optimism, and affective organisational commitment. The latter was found to mediate the effects of stressful working conditions, satisfactory payment and optimism on health. Organisation: The results have a significant impact on a more detailed review of the factors that contribute to better working conditions for healthier employees When employees are committed, they not only stay in the organisation, but they are also healthier and consequently perform better, thus benefits could be seen for employers and employees. It is useful for managers to have knowledge of psychological empowerment, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment, as they can utilize these elements to motivate, develop, and manage employees. Society: As working population is the one that represent the main active population in society, it is important to generate working conditions for healthier workforce. Understanding the role of organisational commitment, and other work-related psychosocial factors for health could benefit not only for organisations and employees, but for other society members, that rely on working population, as well. Originality: The study statistically examines the conceptual research model, where it does not stop on bivariate correlations, or model with one dependent variable, as found in many other studies, but explore inner correlations among factors, thus provide more detailed insight to the relations among organisational commitment, employee’s health and work-related psychosocial factors (optimism, empowerment, stressful working conditions, job insecurity, and satisfactory payment). With our findings we contribute to the discussion on a constructive and future oriented approach to provide working conditions that would lead to committed and healthier workforce. We suggest that policy makers and human resource managers in organisations create working conditions that are focused on improving health. By doing so, affective organisational commitment should be one of the top priorities. Limitations/further research: The study was cross-sectional. Our sample was limited to employees in Slovenia. Our study was limited by the scope of secondary data available; health predictors were selected in accordance with theory and available indicators in the existing survey; limited to main factors: health, organisational commitment and work-related psychosocial factors (optimism, empowerment, stressful working conditions, job insecurity, and satisfactory payment). Future research could focus also on other health related factors (such as genetics, certain lifestyles, the environment, and susceptibility to diseases), include longitudinal approach and compare different geographical contexts.