Age and Tenure in Relation to Organizational Commitment: A Meta-Analysis

Age and tenure are considered important correlates of organizational commitment (OC). However, the relations between these variables and OC were found to be relatively weak. This meta-analysis examines the relations between age and tenure and OC across different time frames of employment stages. The numbers of samples dealing with the relations between OC and age and between OC and tenure were 84 and 80, respectively. Age and tenure were divided into time frames of employment stages and a separate metaanalysis was conducted for each of these subgroups. The findings indicate different patterns of relations across employment stages. The relation between OC and age was strongest for the youngest subgroup. The relation between OC and tenure was strongest for the oldest tenure subgroup. These findings are discussed in terms of the practical and conceptual implications of the differences between age and tenure in their relations with OC and with a view to future research.