Employee commitment factors in higher education institutions

Abstract: Employee commitment is a crucial discourse in most organisations across the globe. This is an argument that this dissertation is completely in agreement with. The study expands scholarly conversation around employee commitment factors in the business environment, by focusing on the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The aim of the study was to explore components related to employees’ commitment in a higher learning establishment in South Africa. University of Johannesburg was the unit of investigation. There is a voluminous body of literature especially from organisational psychologists attempting to comprehend business-related perspectives and practices influencing personnel interests. Some of the studies seek to understand best ways of improving employee commitment in the business environment. However, very few studies have examined the subject of organisational commitment in South African higher education institutions. A quantitative strategy was utilised. The sample comprised 50 respondents occupying different roles at the University of Johannesburg. Data was analysed by means of t-tests, ANOVAs. The primary findings of the investigation are discussed by featuring the similarities, connections and contrasts that arose between this and past research. The study shows different perceptions of workers towards commitment inside the tertiary establishment. This consequently implies that if workers feel they have a place or they are important to the organisation for which they work, they will in general commit to it. The study is indebted to earlier research on employee commitment in the business environment, in South Africa and beyond. These studies provide a foundation from which to explore employee commitment in South Africa’s higher learning institutions. This research complements the earlier analysis by exploring the subject of organisational commitment at a selected institution of higher learning in South Africa. The study provides a valuable glimpse on how an employee’s commitment to the organisation is anchored in perception, attitude and behaviour.M.Com. (Business Management