What is continuance commitment based on?

Continuance commitment is primarily based on a rational assessment of the costs and benefits associated with staying at a job versus leaving it. This aspect of commitment suggests that an employee remains with an organization not necessarily out of emotional ties or alignment with its values, but rather because they perceive that the costs of leaving—such as loss of benefits, relationships, or job security—outweigh the benefits of staying. Employees with high continuance commitment might feel trapped in their roles due to financial implications or other personal circumstances, which informs their decision to remain.

While emotional investment in the workplace, strong beliefs in company values, and integration of team-based objectives may contribute to other forms of commitment, these are not characteristic of continuance commitment. Instead, it focuses on the practical reasoning behind staying with the organization and the perceived disadvantages associated with changing jobs.