Organizational commitment and work engagement – Theoretical conceptions and terminological problems

• Main Authors: Mariola Łaguna, Emilia Mielniczuk, Adam Żaliński, Karolina Wałachowska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine 2015-06-01
• Series: Medycyna Pracy
• Subjects: work engagement; organizational commitment; organizational health; work; industrial psychology
• Online Access: http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Przywiazanie-do-organizacji-i-zaangazowanie-w-prace-koncepcje-teoretyczne-i-problemy-terminologiczne,2352,0,2.html

Engagement in professional activities and positive attitudes towards an organization are of significant importance to functioning and health of employees. Studies analysing the phenomena of employees’ engagement and their relations with an organization undergo a dynamic development in both international and Polish research. Two theoretical conceptions: organizational commitment (by Meyer and Allen) and work engagement (by Schaufeli and Bakker) have become prominent in the field. They capture 2 similar, albeit distinct constructs. In English-language journals academics concentrate on theoretical and empirical analyses of similarities and differences between the 2 concepts, while in Polish publications scholars also have to deal with the issue of the original term translation. The problem lies mostly in Polish nomenclature of the dimensions proposed in both of these conceptions. Lack of common translations for different studies may cause confusion in this area of research. In the paper we present a review of Polish translations of terms used in the discussed conceptions. We also present a linguistic analysis of terms, both in English and in Polish. We provide solutions which could help to clarify terminology in Polish-language publications concerning organizational commitment and work engagement. This allows for further development of research in this field. Med Pr 2015;66(2):277–284