What is affective commitment?

Affective commitment refers to an employee's emotional attachment to their organization, which is characterized by a strong sense of belonging and identification with the company’s values and goals. When employees are affectively committed, they genuinely care about the organization and are more likely to remain with it because they relate to its mission and feel a positive connection to their coworkers and the work environment. This emotional bond enhances employee satisfaction and loyalty, leading to reduced turnover, higher productivity, and a more cohesive workplace culture.

In contrast, other types of commitment, such as calculative or normative commitment, involve staying with a company either due to the perceived benefits, expectations, or peer influence rather than a deep personal connection. Affective commitment is crucial as it often leads to higher job performance and engagement, while other factors may not provide the same level of intrinsic motivation.