This study has aimed to reveal the impact of the quality of work life, working conditions,
perceived organizational protectiveness and demographics of the academicians working for
state and foundation universities in Turkey on affective, normative and continuance
commitment. The study has examined whether there is a significant difference between
affective, normative and continuance commitment of the academicians working for state and
foundation universities, and resulted in that there is no significant difference between the
academicians working for state and foundation universities in terms of affective, normative
and continuance commitment. This result is not consistent with Sığrı’s study (2007),
concluding that the level of affective and normative commitment of private sector employees
in Turkey is higher than that of public sector employees. It has been stated that there are huge
differences between and among the public and private sector organizations in Turkey in terms
of working conditions, therefore a higher level of continuance commitment by the public
employees is an anticipated result, and the study has also led to the finding that the level of
continuance commitment of the public employees is higher than the private sector employees
as anticipated. Nonetheless, this study has not resulted in an information consistent with this
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anticipation and finding, and concluded that the level of affective, normative and continuance
commitment of the academicians working for both public and foundation universities is close.
On the other hand, that there is no significant difference between the continuance
commitment of the academicians working for state and foundation universities may be
attributed to the characteristics of Wasti’s communitarian culture. Wasti (2000b) states that
employees in Turkey may feel a sense of continuance commitment to their organizations
because they do not like change, and points out that this opinion of his may be related to a
cultural dimension as defined by Hofstede as uncertainty avoidance index. In societies with a
high level of uncertainty avoidance, individuals do not take kindly to change, they prefer
certainty in their lives, and they avoid taking risks. In view of the fact that Turkey has the 16 th
place out of 53 countries in terms of uncertainty avoidance in Hofstede’s study, which means
Turkish society relatively avoids from uncertainty, Wasti thinks the continuance commitment
may be explained as such (Wasti, 2000b; 206).
The most influential variable on the level of affective commitment of the academicians
working for the state universities has found out to be the quality of work life, followed by the
perceived organizational protectiveness. Meyer & Allen (1990) have developed the affective
commitment dimension departing from Mowday et al.’s (1982) organizational commitment
principles: “a) “acceptance of the goals and values of an organization, a strong belief and a
strict adherence to these goals and values, b) an enthusiasm to work voluntarily and willingly
for the benefit of the organization, and c) a strong wish and desire to continue to be a
committed member of that organization”. This study has revealed that the quality of work-life
is most effective on affective commitment, which is consistent with previous studies
conducted on the relationship between the quality of work-life and organizational
commitment (Lee et al. 2007; Homburg and Stock 2004; Efraty and Sirgy 1990; Sirgy et al.
2001; Fields and Thacker 1992; Koonmee and Virakul 2007; Lawler and Lei 2007; Roehling
et al. 2001; Sirgy et al. 2008). On the other hand, perceived organizational protectiveness at
state universities is also a factor increasing the affective commitment. Studies conducted by
Meyer & Allen (1990; 1997) have found out that antecedents of affective commitment are
personal characteristics (demographics such as age, gender, working time and education and
personal trends such as need for success and autonomy), organizational structure and work
behaviors / perception. The study has also added perceived organizational protectiveness and
gender to the quality of work-life as variables, which have an impact on the academicians’
affective commitment in foundation universities.
Just as in affective commitment, the two most influential variables on normative commitment
of the academicians working for state universities are the quality of work-life and perceived
organizational protectiveness. When it comes to foundation universities, the most influential
variables on normative commitment of the academicians are, respectively, the quality of work
life, monthly salary, and perceived organizational protectiveness. The only variable having a
significant impact on continuance development, even if it is negative, in state universities is
the quality of work life. Thus, continuance commitment decreases as the quality of work-life
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