A Longitudinal Examination of the Dimensionality and Stability of the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ)

Abstract

Confirmatory factor analytic techniques were used to examine the dimensionality and stability of the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Based on the item responses of a cohort of 440 Navy personnel at three time periods, the results suggest that the OCQ is composed of two separate, but highly correlated, dimensions. The dimensions of the OCQ were not stationary, but the results suggest that the value commitment dimension comprised of the nine positively worded items becomes more stable over time. Based on the pattern of factor loadings, squared multiple correlations of the items, and correlations among the factors it would appear that there would not be a loss in validity by using the short form of the OCQ, which consists of the items of value commitment dimension. These results also suggest that the OCQ may not be valid for individuals who have been with an organization for only a short time.

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