Assessing organisational climate and commitment in a mining services supplier

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to assess organisational climate as a predictor of organisational commitment in a South African company delivering services to the mining industry. Organisational commitment is a valuable significant determinant of the successful performance in an organisation. If it is suggested that human resources is one of an organisation's most valuable assets, then it can be argued that committed human resources is an organisation's competitive advantage, more so in an industry facing a continued downward trend in labour productivity and operating in the least productive of global regions. Tending to be more motivated, have higher performance levels and be less likely to exhibit absenteeism nor inclinations to quit their job than employees who are not, employees committed to their organisations have been shown to give companies a crucial competitive edge. The research focussed on organisational climate as a functional mechanism by which employee commitment can be solicited. The relationship between organisational climate and organisational commitment has been studied in various industries and shown to be significant. The research sought to establish the current organisational climate of the organisation using the Organisational Climate Questionnaire and relate this to organisational commitment as determined through the use of the TCM Organisational Commitment Questionnaire. An empirical study using the survey research strategy was employed and from a total of 92 respondents, the two instruments were validated for the sample and found to be reliable. The research showed a significant positive correlation between organisational climate and affective and normative as well as total commitment. Of the organisational climate determinants of commitment, trust was found to be most influential, followed by job satisfaction. Conclusions regarding the findings of the research were presented and recommendations for the organisation as well as for future research made