A Mindset of Obligation: Exploring a Normative Commitment Orientation beyond the Workplace

We propose a new construct, normative commitment orientation (NCO), which describes a “mindset of obligation” across life domains. In developing this construct, we apply the theory of planned behavior to suggest that NCO develops through socialization experiences across the lifespan and therefore is likely to vary across individuals and cultures. We emphasize the differences between NCO and the classic three-component conceptualization of commitment from Allen and Meyer (1990), which describes normative commitment as an obligation to one’s organization. We extend this conceptualization beyond organization boundaries to other life domains and explore the possibility of a stable disposition toward commitment that individuals may possess. This work may have important implications for theory and practice, as it sheds light on an important individual difference the influences behaviors throughout life, including organizationally-relevant outcomes.