What is affective commitment?

Affective commitment refers to the emotional attachment and identification an employee has with their organization. This type of commitment arises when individuals feel a genuine connection to their workplace, often stemming from shared values, goals, and an overall sense of belonging. When an employee has strong affective commitment, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and willing to go above and beyond in their roles, as they find personal meaning and satisfaction in their work and the success of the organization.

This emotional bond differentiates affective commitment from other forms of commitment, such as continuance commitment, which is based on the perceived costs of leaving the organization, or normative commitment, which relates to feelings of obligation to stay. Affective commitment leads to positive outcomes, such as lower turnover rates and higher levels of employee loyalty, which are crucial for the long-term success of an organization.