Organizational Commitment-Turnover Relationship Across Occupational Groups: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examines whether the relationship between organizational commitment (OC) and turnover differs across occupational groups. It was suggested that the OC-turnover relationship will be stronger among employees in higher-status occupations (e.g., professionals) than among employees in lower-status occupations (e.g., blue collars). A total of 36 independent samples were divided into two main occupational groups: blue-collar employees and white-collar employees. The white-collar subgroup was subdivided into professional and nonprofessional employees. The nonprofessional category was further subdivided into managers and clericals. The findings reveal that, in general, the negative relationship between OC and turnover is stronger for white-collar employees than for blue-collar employees. No significant differences were found between the two white-collar subgroups: nonprofessional and professional and manager and clerical. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research on the OC-turnover relationship and the need for an elaboration of the existing explanations for the development of OC.