Organizational commitment of non-tenured employees in the Philippine government service: A behavioral model

Abstract

Non-tenured employment, often seen as less prestigious, is thought to lead to negative attitudes at work. However, research suggests that non-tenured workers can be just as dedicated to their organizations. Despite the clear need to understand the behaviors of these workers, there is a lack of research in this area. This study looks into what helps or hinders non-tenured government employees in the Philippines from feeling committed to their organization and develops a model to explain their behavior. Using a grounded theory approach, interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 18 non-tenured staff, including office workers, teachers, and service personnel, in Philippine government settings in 2021. These discussions were analyzed to identify themes inductively. The findings show that these workers are indeed committed to their organizations and highlight both the positive influences (facilitators) and obstacles (barriers) to this commitment. Positive work environment, fair pay, convenient location, and the chance of securing a tenured position were identified as facilitators, whereas political interference, challenging tasks, and limited professional development opportunities were seen as barriers. To better understand these factors, the study introduces a cause-reason-intention-behavior (CRIB) Model, a new framework specifically designed for non-tenured employees. This model is unique in that it focuses on how feelings of comfort, love for the job, and enjoyment of work, despite insecure job conditions, can encourage a strong commitment to the organization.