Exploring the Dimensions of Organizational Commitment in High-Stress Work Environments: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Workers
Keywords:
Organizational Commitment, Healthcare Workers, High-Stress Environments, Qualitative Research, Affective Commitment, Normative Commitment, Continuance Commitment, TehranAbstract
This study aimed to explore the dimensions and underlying factors of organizational commitment among healthcare professionals working in high-stress environments. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 20 healthcare workers from public hospitals in Tehran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring representation from various roles including nurses, physicians, and support staff working in high-pressure units such as emergency rooms and intensive care units. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software. The coding process followed an inductive approach, involving open coding, axial coding, and selective theme development to identify recurring patterns and unique perspectives across participant responses. Three overarching themes emerged from the analysis: emotional attachment to the organization, continuance commitment, and normative commitment. Subthemes under emotional attachment included sense of belonging, peer support, alignment with values, recognition, and job satisfaction. Continuance commitment was shaped by job security, economic dependence, career investment, and the perceived cost of leaving. Normative commitment was driven by moral obligation, professional identity, organizational loyalty, mentorship, and cultural expectations. Participants frequently highlighted a deep emotional and ethical bond with their organizations, reinforced by both intrinsic motivation and external socio-economic factors. Organizational commitment in high-stress healthcare settings is a multidimensional construct shaped by emotional, rational, and ethical drivers. The findings suggest that commitment is sustained not only by personal and professional values but also by economic realities and cultural norms. These insights underscore the importance of supportive leadership, recognition systems, ethical alignment, and well-designed retention strategies in fostering commitment among healthcare workers.
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