Multiple Dimensions of Organizational Commitment: Implications for Future Accounting Research

Organizational commitment (OC) is a concept that seeks to capture the nature of the attachments formed by individuals to their employing organizations. Beginning with Porter et al. (1974), prior researchers have attempted to identify what factors influence the formation of OC in individuals and how OC (once formed) influences important organizational consequences. Recent research in the industrial/organizational psychology and organizational behavior literature has identified the existence of multiple dimensions of OC and found different relationships between these dimensions and important organizational consequences. However, with some isolated exceptions (Ketchand and Strawser 1998; Kalbers and Fogarty 1995; Caldwell et al. 1990), accounting research has examined only one dimension of OC. This manuscript summarizes previous research in the industrial/organizational psychology, organizational behavior, and particularly accounting literature regarding the identification of various dimensions and subdimensions of OC and the relationships of these dimensions and subdimensions with important antecedents, correlates, and consequences. In light of these findings, suggestions are provided for accounting researchers to evaluate: (1) the role of multiple dimensions of OC in influencing attachment to the organization, (2) how changes in the public accounting work environment affect the role of OC, and (3) how OC research can provide practical results for public accounting firms.