The Implications of Organisational Contexts on Unpaid Workers’ Loyalty: The Interactive role of Perceived Organisational and Supervisor Support

Abstract

This paper examines the process through which perceived organisational support (POS) affects volunteers' affective commitment (AC) by investigating the mediating role of leader-member exchange (LMX) in the relationship between POS and AC of volunteers in five non-for-profit organisations in Queensland, Australia. Data collected from 213 participants with a cross-sectional survey questionnaire were analysed to validate the hypotheses. The result reveals that POS has a significant direct effect on volunteers' AC, as well as indirect significant effect through LMX. The results of the study provide new knowledge about the importance of a supportive workplace relationship between immediate supervisors and volunteers in enhancing volunteers' positive organisational experiences that would lead into higher loyalty and involvement.