Table 5 presents the hypotheses to be analyzed as specified in the causal
model, including only those variables for which wave 1 and wave 2
measures are available. The final hypothesis that satisfaction causally
precedes commitment (Hypothesis 9) is of central interest in this study.
Given alternative arguments and mixed evidence on the causal relationship
RESULTS
The Causal Relationship between Satisfaction and Commitment
The analysis elaborates the causal relationship between job satisfaction and
organizational commitment by performing competitive tests among four alternative
models: (1) the proposed model in which satisfaction precedes commitment,
(2) a model where commitment precedes satisfaction, (3) a model with
reciprocal effects between satisfaction and commitment, and (4) a model where
satisfaction and commitment have no significant relationship ( Vandenberg &
Lance, 1992). These tests alter the specification of the relationship between
satisfaction and commitment by adding and deleting paths between satisfaction
and commitment at time 1, and satisfaction and commitment at time 2.
The proposed model, with a time-lagged effect from wave 1 satisfaction to wave
2 commitment, serves as the first model. Assuming commitment actually
precedes satisfaction, the second model deletes the effect from wave 1 satisfaction
to wave 2 commitment, and instead specifies a path from wave 1 commitment
to wave 2 satisfaction. The third model proposes commitment and
satisfaction have reciprocal causal influences, so it includes two time-lagged
effects from wave 1 satisfaction to wave 2 commitment and from wave 1
commitment to wave 2 satisfaction. Finally, assuming no causal relationship