Abstract

This study examines a set of attitudinal and behavioral variables in order to develop an integrative concept of organizational commitment. Structural Equation Modeling was utilized to assess a possible conceptual overlap between organizational commitment and other related constructs. Five measures were employed: the affective scale; the continuance scale; the behavioral intentions to organizational commitment scale and the behavioral intentions to remain in the organization scale. Obtained results (N=1,869) indicate that: 1) The continuance dimension does not integrate the concept of organizational commitment; 2) Attitudinal organizational commitment is a unidimensional construct, constituted only by the affective dimension; and 3) The intentions to remain in the organization are not a component of the organizational commitment. We conclude that organizational commitment is best described as a sort of social attachment established between the worker and an organization, composed largely of an affective component which predisposes individuals to assume proactive behaviors toward an organization.