SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND AFFECTIVE COMMITMENT AMONG EMPLOYEES OF SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between sense of community and affective commitment among employees of service organizations in Rivers State. The study adopted a survey research design, with a population of 519 employees drawn from banks, the Rivers State Police Command, and Rivers State University. A sample size of 226 employees was determined using Taro Yamane’s
formula, and respondents were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to assess respondents’ perceptions of sense of community and affective commitment, while the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation
(PPMC) was used to test the hypothesized relationship using SPSS version 25. The findings revealed that employees generally perceive a moderate to high sense of community in their workplaces, particularly in terms of interpersonal relationships, support, and inclusion. Similarly, affective commitment among employees was moderate to high, reflecting emotional attachment, loyalty, and
pride in their organizations. The correlation analysis showed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between sense of community and affective commitment (r = 0.870, p <0.01), indicating that employees who experience a strong sense of belonging and support are more likely to develop emotional attachment to their organizations. The study concluded that sense of community is a critical predictor of affective commitment among employees of service organizations in Rivers State. It recommended that organizations should foster supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environments, promote employee participation in decision-making, and adopt leadership practices that emphasize relational connectedness to enhance employees’ emotional attachment and organizational loyalty.