Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T17:30:53.987Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Employability and Temporary Workers’ Affective Commitment: the Moderating Role of Voluntariness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 December 2013

Mafalda Espada  and
Maria José Chambel
Mafalda Espada
Affiliation:
Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
Maria José Chambel*
Affiliation:
Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Maria José Chambel. Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade de Lisboa. Alameda da Universidade. 1649–013. Lisboa (Portugal). E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The development of either internal or external employability of temporary workers has been considered a mechanism of protection since it ensures that employment can be maintained. According to the social exchange theory and the norm of reciprocity, when temporary workers perceive that the training promoted by the organization furthers employability, they are inclined to feel obligated to reciprocate with positive attitudes toward the organization. With a sample of temporary agency workers from three distinct industry organizations (N = 279), the current study investigated the relationship between training that promotes both internal and external employability and affective commitment as well as the role of voluntariness as a moderator of these relationships. The hypotheses were tested by using regression analysis. The results indicated that the perception held by temporary workers that the training they received is a promoter of their internal employability is positively correlated with their affective commitment towards the organization. Furthermore, the data revealed that this relationship is weaker for the group of temporary workers with high voluntariness. On the other hand, there was not a significant relationship between the training that promotes external employability and the affective commitment of temporary workers. Likewise, voluntariness did not moderate this relationship.

Keywords

affective commitmentemployabilitytemporary workerstrainingvoluntariness
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 16 , 2013 , E108
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, D., Shore, L., & Griffeth, R. (2003). The role of perceived organizational support and supportive human resource practices in the turnover process. Journal of Management, 29, 99–118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/014920630302900107 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bartlett, K. (2001). The relationship between training and organizational commitment: A study in the health care field. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 12, 335–352. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.1001 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Benson, G. S. (2006). Employee development, commitment and intention to turnover: A test of “employability” policies in action. Human Resource Management Journal, 16, 173–192. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-8583.2006.00011.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Birdi, K., Allan, C., & Warr, P. (1997). Correlates and perceived outcomes of four types of development activity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82, 845–857. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.82.6.845 Google ScholarPubMed
Blau, P. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. New York, NY: Wiley.Google Scholar
Burgess, J., & Connell, J. (2006). Temporary work and human resources management: Issues, challenges and responses. Personnel Review, 35, 129–140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00483480610645786 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chambel, M. J. (2010). Relatório do projecto: Relação de emprego nos trabalhadores temporários: A importância da gestão de recursos humanos [Project report: The employment relationship of temporary workers: The human resource management relevance] . Lisboa, Portugal: Universidade de Lisboa.Google Scholar
Chambel, M. J., & Castanheira, F. (2007). They don’t want to be temporaries: Similarities between temps and core workers. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 28, 943–959. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/job.471 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chambel, M. J., & Sobral, F. (2011). Training is an investment with return for temporary workers: A social exchange perspective. Career Development International, 16, 161–177. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13620431111115613 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CIETT (International Confederation of Private Employment Agencies) (2011). The agency work industry around the world. Brussels, Belgium: Author. Retrieved from http://www.ciett.org/fileadmin/templates/eurociett/docs/stats/Ciett_Economic_Report_2011.pdf Google Scholar
Coyle-Shapiro, J. A-M., & Kessler, I. (2002). Contingent and non-contingent working in local government: Contrasting psychological contracts. Public Administration, 80, 77–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9299.00295 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Cuyper, N., & De Witte, H. (2006). Autonomy and workload among temporary workers: Their effects on job satisfaction, organizational commitment, life satisfaction, and self-rated performance. International Journal of Stress Management, 13, 441–459. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.13.4.441 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Cuyper, N., & De Witte, H. (2008a). Job insecurity and employability among temporary workers: A theoretical approach based on the psychological contract. In Naswall, K., Hellgren, J., & Sverke, M. (Eds.), The individual in the changing working life (pp. 88–107). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Cuyper, N., & De Witte, H. (2008b). Volition and reasons for accepting temporary employment: Associations with attitudes, well-being, and behavioral intentions. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 17, 363–387. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13594320701810373 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DiNatale, M. (2001). Characteristics of and preference for alternative work arrangements. Monthly Labor Review, 124, 28–49.Google Scholar
Ellingson, J. E., Gruys, M. L., & Sackett, P. R. (1998). Factors related to the satisfaction and performance of temporary employees. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83, 913–921. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.83.6.913 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Felfe, J., Schmook, R., Six, B., & Wieland, R. (2005). Commitment gegenüber verleiher und entleiher bei zeitarbeitern: Bedingungen und konsequenzen [Contingent employees’ commitment towards the agency and client organization: Antecedents and consequences]. Zeitschrift für Personalpsychologie, 4, 101–115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1026/1617-6391.4.3.101 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Finegold, D., Levenson, A., & van Buren, M. (2005). Access to training and its impact on temporary workers. Human Resource Management Journal, 15, 66–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-8583.2005.tb00147.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Forrier, A., & Sels, L. (2003). Temporary employment and employability: Training opportunities and efforts of temporary and permanent employees in Belgium. Work, Employment and Society, 17, 641–666. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0950017003174003 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galais, N., & Moser, K. (2009). Organizational commitment and the well-being of temporary agency workers: A longitudinal study. Human Relations, 62, 589–620. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0018726708101991 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gouldner, A. W. (1960). The norm of reciprocity: A preliminary statement. American Sociological Review, 25, 161–178. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2092623 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Groot, W., & Maassen van Den Brink, H. (2000). Education, training and employability. Applied Economics Journal, 32, 573–581. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/000368400322471 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kalleberg, A. (2000). Nonstandard employment relations: Part-time, temporary and contract work. Annual Reviews of Sociology, 26, 341–365. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.26.1.341 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kluytmans, F., & Ott, M. (1999). Management of employability in The Netherlands. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 8, 261–272. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/135943299398357 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lynch, L. (1991). The role of off-the-job vs on-the-job training for the mobility of women workers. American Economic Review, 81, 299–312.Google Scholar
Maurer, T. J., Pierce, H. R., & Shore, L. M. (2002). Perceived beneficiary of employee development activity: A three-dimensional social exchange model. Academy of Management Review, 27, 432–444. http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/AMR.2002.7389930 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McDonald, D. J., & Makin, P. J. (2000). The psychological contract, organizational commitment and job satisfaction of temporary staff. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 21, 84–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01437730010318174 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meyer, J. P., & Allen, N. J. (1997). Commitment in the workplace: Theory, research and application. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meyer, J. P., Allen, N. J., & Smith, C. A. (1993). Commitment to organizations and occupations: Extension and test of a three-component conceptualization. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 538–551. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.78.4.538 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meyer, J. P., Stanley, D. J., Herscovitch, L., & Topolnytsky, L. (2002). Affective, continuance and normative commitment to the organization: A meta-analysis of antecedents, correlates and consequences. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 61, 20–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.2001.1842 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Millward, L. J., & Brewerton, P. M. (2000). Psychological contracts: Employee relations for the twenty-first century? In Cooper, C. L., & Robertson, I. T. (Eds.), International Review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (pp. 1–61). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Mowday, R. T., Steers, R., & Porter, L. (1979). The measurement of organizational commitment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 14, 224–247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(79)90072-1 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nishii, L. H., Lepak, D. P., & Schneider, B. (2008). Employee attributions of the “why” of HR practices: Their effects on employee attitudes and behaviors, and customer satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 61, 503–545. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2008.00121.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riketta, M. (2002). Attitudinal organizational commitment and job performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23, 257–266.http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/job.141 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riketta, M. (2008). The causal relation between job attitudes and performance: A meta-analysis of panel studies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 472–481. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.2.472 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, S. L., & Morrison, E. W. (2000). The development of psychological contract breach and violation: A longitudinal study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 21, 525–546. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1099-1379(200008)21:5<525::AID-JOB40>3.0.CO;2-T 3.0.CO;2-T>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosenblatt, Z., Talmud, I., & Ruvio, A. (1999). A gender-based framework of the experience of job insecurity and its effects on work attitudes. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 8, 197–217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/135943299398320 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rubery, J., Smith, M., & Fagan, C. (1999). Women’s employment in Europe. London, UK: Routledge.Google Scholar
Shore, L. M., Tetrick, L. E., Lynch, P., & Barksdale, K. (2006). Social and economic exchange: Construct development and validation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 837–867. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00046.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
van Breugel, G., van Olffen, W., & Olie, R. (2005), Temporary liaisons: The commitment of ‘Temps’ toward their agencies, Journal of Management Studies, 42, 539–566. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2005.00508.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Veitch, R. W. D., & Cooper-Thomas, H. D. (2009). Tit for tat? Predictors of temporary agency workers’ commitments. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 47, 318–337. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1038411109106861 CrossRefGoogle Scholar