Original Research

Relating job satisfaction and organisational commitment: The moderating and mediating roles of positive individual strengths

Refilwe Masale, Emmerentia N. Barkhuizen, Nico E. Schutte, Lidewey van der Sluis
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology | Vol 47 | a1832 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v47i0.1832 | © 2021 Refilwe Masale, Emmerentia N. Barkhuizen, Nico E. Schutte, Lidewey van der Sluis | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 03 August 2020 | Published: 25 August 2021

About the author(s)

Refilwe Masale, Global Innovative Forefront Research Entity, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
Emmerentia N. Barkhuizen, Global Innovative Forefront Research Entity, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa; and, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Economics and Business, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Nico E. Schutte, Global Innovative Forefront Research Entity, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
Lidewey van der Sluis, Centre of Strategy, Organization and Leadership, Nyenrode Business University, Breukelen, the Netherlands

Abstract

Orientation: This rapidly changing world requires local government institutions to focus on positive work-related states to enhance quality service delivery.

Research purpose: The main objective of this article was to explore how individual traits and psychological strengths (i.e. adult state hope, meaning in life and work locus of control) moderate or mediate the relationship between job satisfaction and organisational commitment in a Botswana local government institution.

Motivation for the study: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced employers to rely on the foundations of positive organisational psychology to navigate employee well-being more effectively during times of unprecedented crisis.

Research approach/design and method: A quantitative research approach was followed. An adapted Minnesota job satisfaction questionnaire, organisational commitment questionnaire, adult state hope scale, meaning in life questionnaire and work locus of control scale were distributed to public sector officials of a Botswana local government institution (N = 405).

Main findings: Adult state hope, meaning in life and work locus of control partially mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and organisational commitment.

Practical/managerial implications: Management should create a workplace culture that can promote job satisfaction amongst public officials. Job satisfaction influences essential individual and outcomes organisational in public sector institutions.

Contribution/value-add: This research is original and provides evidence for the use of positive psychology constructs (i.e. adult state hope, meaning in life and work locus of control) combined with job satisfaction to enhance organisational commitment.


Keywords

adult state hope; job satisfaction; locus of control; meaning in life; organisational commitment

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