Dispositions, organisational commitment and satisfaction: A longitudinal study of MBA graduates

Abstract

This study examines the relationships among dispositional sources of value preferences and personality attributes, organisational commitment and satisfaction using a longitudinal sample from MBA graduates in a US business school. After examining and comparing four types of models: (1) direct effects of dispositions on organisational commitment; (2) direct effects of dispositions on organisational satisfaction; (3) direct effects of dispositions on organisational satisfaction, which in turn explains organisational commitment; (4) mediation effects of organisational satisfaction on the relationship between dispositions and organisational commitment, the study shows that the models of direct effects of dispositions on organisational commitment, and the mediation effects of organisational satisfaction on the relationship between dispositions and organisational commitment are considered as reasonably good fit models. Ideal organisational values of freedom and reward-based value orientation have a direct relationship with instrumental commitment, and personality attribute of interpersonal relationship has a direct relationship with normative commitment. In addition, organisational satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between aggressiveness and instrumental commitment, along with the relationship between norm-favouring tendency and normative commitment. The results suggest that dispositional sources of individuals are powerful to have a relatively long-term impact on the relationships between individuals and organisation.