Attitudinal commitment thus represents a state in which
an individual identifies with a particular organization and its goals and
wishes to maintain membership in order to facilitate these goals. As noted
by March and Simon (1958), such commitment often encompasses an exchange relationship in which individuals attach themselves to the organization in return for certain rewards or payments from the organization. It is with this second approach to organizational commitment that we 226 MOWDAY. STEERS, AND PORTER are largely concerned, although our definition will include some aspects of commitment-related behaviors.